Saif Ali Khan Says Dhurandhar Is Changing Bollywood

Saif Ali Khan is making headlines for his candid take on how Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar is reshaping the Hindi film industry. In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, the actor spoke about feeling a newfound creative freedom to take on varied roles, crediting films like Aditya Dhar’s action drama for shifting audience expectations. According to Saif, there is now a clear divide in Bollywood’s storytelling approach, one that existed before Dhurandhar and one that exists after it.

A Shift Toward Bolder Storytelling

Saif noted that viewers are increasingly drawn to content that feels genuine and different rather than formulaic. He pointed to the film’s willingness to experiment, including blending in global musical influences, as a sign the industry is ready to move past safe, predictable choices. For Saif, this signals a turning point where filmmakers can take creative risks without fear of alienating audiences.

Praise for Dhurandhar’s Music Approach

The actor was especially vocal about his admiration for the film’s soundtrack. He appreciated how its remixes felt organic rather than manufactured, and how musical sequences were framed as natural moments instead of glamorous “item” numbers built around a lead actress. This approach, he suggested, kept the songs from feeling forced or out of place within the story.

While Saif stopped short of confirming a similar project of his own, his enthusiasm suggests he’s open to exploring bolder, unconventional cinema going forward. On the work front, he has two releases lined up: Haiwaan, a Priyadarshan-directed remake of the Malayalam thriller Oppam co-starring Akshay Kumar, arriving in theatres on September 11, 2026, and Hum Hindustani, an upcoming Netflix project whose details remain under wraps.