Choreographer Vijay Ganguly may still be riding the wave stalwartBut when it comes to Dhurandhar: RevengeHe believes that the focus was always on the story more than the spectacle. had an exclusive conversation with India Today, He talks about the impact of the film, the absence of chartbusters like Sharath and how director Aditya Dhar’s approach is different in today’s fast-paced, reel-driven world.

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Being closely associated with the franchise, Ganguly admitted that he felt a sense of attachment upon first viewing, but that soon wore off. “I liked the film because, you know how it is. When you are part of a project, you have your own biases. But as I continued watching, I lost that bias and was just watching the film for what it is. I even went to the theater to watch it again later. It was quite heartening to see people sitting through the four-hour film without getting nervous or distracted by their phones. The reaction of the audience was incredible. Some people were even shouting ‘Bharat Mata Ki’. I Was saying, ‘Wow, what’s happening?’ That feeling is completely different,” he said.

While Dhurandhar Part 1 got huge success prankAudiences felt the lack of a similar celebration track in the sequel. Ganguly acknowledged the feedback but explained that the absence was a conscious decision. “A lot of people asked me why there’s no song like this prank. But the film was initially conceived as a story. All the songs were in the first part, and the second part focused on revenge, which is what you see now. So this second part was always planned that way. If you watch the movie, there’s no natural place for a celebratory song. In the first part, there was a wedding, which allowed for that moment. There is constant tension here from beginning to end. Adding a random song could have disrupted the story. If a song is not originally part of the script and is added only for promotion, it rarely works,” he explained.

He further considered why this is so prank Resonated so strongly. “It worked because it was embedded in the story. It didn’t feel like the narrative stopped for a song. There was so much happening within it. It moved the story forward. That’s why it’s connected. In Part 2, there just wasn’t that scope. Honestly, I’m glad we didn’t force it, because even if we did, people would have questioned it.”

Ganguly credited Aditya Dhar’s forthrightness for shaping the film’s unconventional approach, including minimal promotion. “Aditya sir understands that story and narrative are most important. He is changing the way people watch films. At a time when audiences are bound to a one-minute reel, they are watching a four-hour film. He believed that honesty in storytelling is the only way to bring people to the theatres. That is why he did not give in to market pressure to include songs. Even the promotion was minimal, with only a teaser and trailer. No songs were released. Even That Part 1 also did not follow the usual promotional path is redefining the way films are presented,” he said.

Ganguly described the experience of working with the filmmaker as a masterclass in conviction and calmness. “The biggest thing I’ve learned, and what I want to bring into my life, is his clarity and patience. He knows what he wants. During the prank, we made several hook phases, which is normal, but he immediately picked one and said, ‘This is it.’ I suggested exploring other options, but he was adamant. That kind of certainty is rare. He has complete trust in his technicians. He believes that giving too much information can lead to confusion, so he lets you do your best and then guides you. And his patience. I have never seen him lose his patience,” he shared.

despite this prank Becoming a viral sensation, Ganguly insisted that the team had no idea of ​​its ultimate impact. “When we were shooting it, we had no idea. It all happened very effortlessly. We completed the dance portion in a day and a half, and Ranveer Singh’s portion in another half a day. We didn’t even realize it when we finished shooting and editing it. Even the Akshay Khanna segment was completed in a matter of hours. When the film released and that portion went viral first, I was really surprised. I still didn’t fully understand how it was so widely But people clearly saw something in it, and Dhvani also got recognition. I think it all happened because of Aditya’s vision, and because the film was successful, it was bound to happen,” he said.

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However, with success also comes expectations and Ganguly is fully aware of this. “That pressure has always been there, and I take it upon myself. Even before a director asks, my team and I know that if we keep repeating ourselves, we won’t be able to move forward. After Tonight became a hit, I got a lot of similar offers, but I turned down most of them. I could have easily done 20 such songs, but I wanted to explore something new. When Mischief came, we knew it had a new energy. That pressure is necessary. It pushes you to evolve, not stay stagnant.” He said.

He also praised Ranveer Singh’s performance in the sequel. “We met recently at a screening, and what he has done as an actor is incredible. While everyone is praising Akshay Khanna, I think Ranveer’s restraint in Part 1 mattered a lot. He stayed in the background, but brought so much to the screen that it elevated even the other performances. Acting is always a give and take. However, in Part 2, he completely blew me away. That opening sequence, where he goes to save his sister Hain gave me goosebumps. From Gully Boy to Padmaavat, he has consistently made a difference that not many actors in our industry can do,” he said.

In a light-hearted manner, Ganguly recalled a fun moment he spent with the actor. She said, “At a party he joked that my hook step became famous because of the camera movement. We just laughed about it. He also mentioned my mother’s reel. He said everyone had seen it and asked me to tell him that she was amazing.”

On a personal note, Ganguly shared that his biggest critic and supporter is his sister Rupali Ganguly. “She’s my biggest cheerleader, but also very candid. If something is average, she’ll say so. And if it’s good, she’ll be the first one to celebrate it. When I was editing Prank, I thought it could have been better, but she said to me, ‘Are you crazy? It’s a superhit.’ She was right,” he concluded.