There’s Bollywood Before Dhurandhar and After It…: Saif Ali Khan Makes Bold Statement, Says It s Up to Us to Wake Up

Saif Ali Khan has made a striking statement about the evolving landscape of Bollywood, declaring that he now sees the industry in two phases—before Dhurandhar and after it. The actor believes the blockbuster franchise directed by Aditya Dhar has redefined how mainstream Hindi cinema approaches storytelling, music, and audience engagement.

In a recent interview, Saif spoke about how his perspective on films has evolved and credited the Dhurandhar series for pushing creative boundaries.

‘It’s Up to Us Whether We Wake Up or Not’

Reflecting on the impact of the films, Saif said he now views Bollywood differently after the release of Dhurandhar. He added that the industry has a choice—to adapt to changing audience expectations or risk being left behind.

The actor praised the franchise for treating music as an integral part of storytelling rather than simply creating a separate album for a film. According to him, the blend of global influences, original compositions, remixes, and the confident use of English lyrics made the soundtrack feel fresh and contemporary.

Saif Calls Shararat a ‘Revolutionary’ Song

Saif reserved special praise for Shararat, the popular dance track featuring Ayesha Khan and Krystle D’Souza.

He described the song as a refreshing departure from the traditional “item number” formula, saying it felt more like a natural celebration than a forced glamour sequence. According to Saif, presenting the performers as part of a wedding celebration made the song visually appealing without feeling out of place in the narrative.

The track became one of the biggest musical hits from the franchise and was widely appreciated for seamlessly blending into the film’s story.

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A Soundtrack That Redefined Expectations

Music for the Dhurandhar films was composed by Shashwat Sachdev, who created original songs alongside modern recreations of classic tracks.

The soundtrack featured chartbusters such as Shararat and Gehra Hua, while reimagined versions like Ishq Jalakar, Lutt Le Gaya, and Run Down the City – Monica also gained massive popularity across streaming platforms.

The sequel continued the same musical approach, helping establish the franchise as one of Bollywood’s most successful examples of integrating music with storytelling.

A Record-Breaking Franchise

Released in December 2025 and March 2026, the two Dhurandhar films emerged as major commercial successes, reportedly earning more than ₹3,100 crore worldwide.

The sequel is now counted among the highest-grossing Indian films ever made.

Led by Ranveer Singh, the franchise also featured an ensemble cast including Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun.

What’s Next for Saif Ali Khan?

Saif was last seen in the Netflix crime thriller Kartavya, where his performance received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.

The actor is now preparing for two major releases—Hum Hindustani, a period drama, and Haiwaan, directed by Priyadarshan, which marks his much-awaited reunion with Akshay Kumar after nearly two decades.

With his latest remarks, Saif has sparked fresh conversations about the future of Bollywood, suggesting that innovation—not tradition—will define the industry’s next chapter.