‘Satya’ actor Makarand Deshpande picks Aditya Dhar over Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna for ‘Dhurandhar’ success

Makarand Deshpande recently opened up about ‘Dhurandhar’, starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, and offered a perspective that differs from popular opinion. In an interview, he stated that while the performances were impactful, the real credit should not go to the actors.

He also spoke candidly about his overall impression of the film.Deshpande compared ‘Dhurandhar’ to ‘

Satya

’ (1998), directed by Ram Gopal Varma and starring Manoj Bajpayee and J.D. Chakravarthy. “I liked his film. I felt it is a version of ‘Satya’,” he shared with ABP Live. The veteran actor further praised its grounded storytelling, noting that the narrative felt more realistic and performance-driven, with strong character portrayals throughout.

Makarand Deshpande's praises for ‘Dhurandhar’s' realism and performances

Elaborating on his views, Deshpande highlighted how ‘Dhurandhar’ focuses on intense drama rather than exaggerated action. “More realistic where people are not flying. And there’s intensity, and there are actors acting,” he shared. He added that much like ‘Satya’, the film benefits from a strong ensemble cast and well-crafted characters.When asked to choose between Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, Deshpande instead credited director

Aditya Dhar

, who helmed ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’, set to release on March 19.

“I think Aditya Dhar should be credited for this. Usne Akshaye Khanna ko banaya,” he said, appreciating how the filmmaker shaped each character with depth.Deshpande concluded by saying that just as Ram Gopal Varma was credited for ‘Satya’, Aditya Dhar deserves similar recognition for ‘Dhurandhar’. He emphasised that the director’s vision played a crucial role in bringing the story and its characters to life, making the film stand out in today’s cinematic landscape.

Makarand Deshpande's work front

Apart from films, Deshpande recently performed in Delhi at Nexus Select City Walk. He staged ‘Piyakkad’ on the first day and ‘Dear Wife’ on the second. Both plays were written, directed, and performed by him, showcasing his versatility as a theatre artist alongside his work in cinema.Makarand Deshpande has appeared in films like ‘Satya’, ‘Sarfarosh’, ‘Swades’, ‘Makdee’, and ‘Ek Hasina Thi’, along with ‘Company’, ‘Jungle’, ‘Guzaarish’, and ‘Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap’. He was also seen in ‘RRR’ and ‘Monkey Man’. Known for unconventional roles, he balances mainstream cinema with strong theatre roots.