December 22, 2025

Gurinder Chadha Champions ‘Homebound’ for Oscars, Jests About Karan Johar’s Influence

Acclaimed filmmaker Gurinder Chadha is optimistic about Neeraj Ghaywan’s ‘Homebound’ potentially winning an Oscar at the 98th Academy Awards. The film, which is India’s official selection, has made it to the shortlist in the International Feature Film category. Chadha hosted a special screening in London as part of the film’s promotional tour. Karan Johar, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa also attended the screening.

Chadha expressed her support for ‘Homebound,’ hoping it will bring the Oscar home and make India proud. During the media interaction, Chadha mentioned her long-standing friendship with Karan Johar, recalling how he asked her to host the London screening, to which she readily agreed.

Chadha praised ‘Homebound’ for its universal quality, noting how it reflected the shared experience of connection during the coronavirus pandemic. She lauded Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions for backing a film like ‘Homebound,’ acknowledging it as a significant move. She jokingly asked Neeraj Ghaywan if Karan had ever interfered with his vision by suggesting the inclusion of music from ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’.

Chadha fondly recounted her decades-long friendship with Johar, tracing it back to the Cannes International Film Festival where she met him and his father, Yash Johar. She humorously described their Punjabi connection, recalling Yash Johar’s encouraging reaction to ‘Bend It Like Beckham’.

December 22, 2025

Aditya Dhar Acknowledges Ram Gopal Varma’s Impact on ‘Dhurandhar’ Success

Mumbai, India – Aditya Dhar, the director of the commercially and critically acclaimed film “Dhurandhar,” has attributed a portion of his film’s success to veteran filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma (RGV). Dhar stated that Varma’s pioneering and fearless approach to Indian cinema served as a significant inspiration during the making of “Dhurandhar.”

The acknowledgement came after RGV praised Dhar’s directorial venture. In response to the accolades, Dhar credited Varma’s influence, prompting a humorous reaction from Varma, who questioned when his own inspiring work would lead to similar recognition. Dhar responded by emphasizing Varma’s groundbreaking risk-taking in an era lacking established cinematic norms. He stated that “Dhurandhar could run because you walked first, sir. Some paths don’t end with applause. They end in creating a legacy!”

Dhar had previously expressed his long-held admiration for Varma, revealing that early in his career, he aspired to work under the director known for films like “Satya.” While that collaboration never materialized, Dhar stated that Varma’s filmmaking ethos profoundly shaped his own creative process. Dhar said, “I came to Mumbai years ago carrying one suitcase, one dream, and an unreasonable belief that I would one day work under Ram Gopal Verma. That never happened. But somewhere along the way, without knowing it, I worked inside your cinema. Your films didn’t teach me how to make movies — they taught me how to think dangerously.”

“Dhurandhar,” a two-part film series written and directed by Aditya Dhar, draws inspiration from real-world geopolitical events and covert operations, specifically referencing Operation Lyari. The film boasts a star-studded cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun. The first installment has garnered praise for its performances, direction, cinematography, and musical score. The release of “Dhurandhar Part 2” is scheduled for March 19, 2026.