Grammy Winner Ricky Kej Praises Dhurandhar, Criticizes ‘Pathaan’ for Sensationalism

Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar continues to make waves in Indian cinema, earning accolades not just from audiences but also from industry veterans. Among its high-profile admirers is Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej, who lauded the spy-thriller for its storytelling, technical brilliance, and dynamic performances, while taking a subtle dig at Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan.

Ricky Kej Hails Dhurandhar

Ricky Kej, a three-time Grammy winner and recipient of India’s Padma Shri award from President Droupadi Murmu, shared his thoughts on social media, praising the film’s cast—including Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Akshay Khanna, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt—and its technical aspects. He wrote:

*”I caught a short break during nonstop traveling and watched *Dhurandhar… WOW! Indian cinema is reaching new heights. The 3.5-hour film flew by, and I want to watch it again. Performances, edits, dialogues—everything is dynamic and top-class. Shashwat Sachdev’s music is brilliant. Technically, this spy thriller is perfect; every department delivered.”

Kej also congratulated director Aditya Dhar: “Genius Captain Aditya Dhar, congratulations. He has proven he’s the best, and whatever he makes next will only be better.”

On Criticism and Audience Responsibility

Addressing negative opinions, Kej wrote that many critics probably haven’t even watched the film and that Dhurandhar portrays events authentically, without exaggeration. He emphasized that it is an adult film and warned against taking children to watch it, calling such a move “foolish.”

Dig at Pathaan

Kej’s comments also took a veiled swipe at Pathaan’s sensational elements, writing: “Those who criticize this film may prefer cinema where ISI agents dance in swimsuits to bold songs.”

Director Responds

Director Aditya Dhar replied to Kej’s post, thanking him: “Glad you enjoyed our film.” Fans chimed in, with some calling it a “brilliant movie” and expressing excitement for the next installment.

Box Office Success

Dhurandhar continues to dominate the box office, grossing ₹59 crore nationwide on its tenth day, bringing its total domestic collection to approximately ₹351.75 crore. The film’s gripping spy-thriller narrative and stellar performances have made it one of the biggest hits of 2025.