Aditya Dhar says someone ‘carried Dhurandhar on his shoulders’ and it’s not who you think

Filmmaker Aditya Dhar has expressed appreciation for cinematographer Vikash Nowlakha following the success of Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The film has been widely discussed for its visual scale, with its cinematography emerging as one of the key talking points.

Taking to Instagram, Aditya shared a set of behind the scenes images with Nowlakha and wrote a detailed note reflecting on their collaboration. He recalled how the cinematographer joined the project shortly before filming began. “He was the last HOD to come on board Dhurandhar. Just a few days before we began. And knowing how deeply selective he is, that timing meant everything,” he wrote.

He added, “I still remember what he said after reading the script: ‘I’ve waited 30 years to do a film like this. I’ll give my life to it.’ And he meant every word. What followed was not just work, it was devotion.” The director’s note focused on the effort that went into managing the film’s demanding schedule.

Aditya further spoke about the challenges faced during production. “Through impossible schedules, through chaos that often felt unmanageable, through shooting what was essentially two films in the time and cost of one, Vikash stood at the center of it all, steady and relentless,” he said. Highlighting Nowlakha’s contribution, he added, “What makes Vikash truly rare is not just his endurance; it’s the soul in his gaze.” The filmmaker described his involvement as central to the film’s execution.

He concluded his note by acknowledging the cinematographer’s role in shaping the project. “I feel immense gratitude, respect, and affection for the artist he is, and the human being he brought into this journey. This film carries his imprint forever,” he wrote, adding that he looks forward to future collaborations.

Dhurandhar: The Revenge features a cast including Ranveer Singh, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Dutt, among others. The film has reported strong box office performance since its release.

Several film personalities, including S. S. Rajamouli and Rajinikanth, have also acknowledged the film, adding to the ongoing conversation around its scale and execution.