Bollywood continues to be awe-inspiring behind-the-scenes decision-making that shapes the way films are made and viewed by viewers. A recent revelation from choreographer Vijay Ganguly has shed light on a crucial creative decision within Dhurandhar The Ranveer Singh-directed spy film which has won the Indian chart since its debut on December 5 2025. According to Ganguly director of Dhurandhar director Aditya Dhar intentionally decided not to include a well-known actors Tamannaah Bhatia in the film’s well-known track “Shararat” despite her being the initial suggestion for the scene. The reason, Dhar reportedly conveyed, was to stop the song from diverting attention away from the story’s main point of view.

Dhurandhar has maintained strong commercial performances and a wide participation from the public, averaging an estimated the sum of Rs550 million (Indian dollars) gross during the course of its theater run. Beyond its financial success, the film’s soundtrack and dance choreography played an important part in the conversation about culture especially the track “Shararat,” which has gained attention across social media platforms and attracted international attention when global musicians were seen interacting in online conversations about the song.

Original Plans and Creative Reorientation

Vijay Ganguly, who choreographed “Shararat,” disclosed in an interview with entertainment portal Filmygyan that his original vision for the track included Tamannaah Bhatia in a leading role. Ganguly said that his original idea was to include an established actor to increase the appeal of the sequence. But Aditya Dhar who is known for her narrative-oriented approach to filmmaking was adamant about that idea. Dhar was reported to have been convinced that casting just one famous performer like Tamannaah could obliterate the storyline integration in the music number.

In explaining his argument, Dhar emphasized a broader issue: avoiding the making of a typical “item song” that might serve as a mere spectacle instead of an integral part of the plot. The director, according to reports, stated that a song with Bhatia due to her fame, could risk shifting attention away from the performer and away the purpose of the sequence in the story. Dhar’s preferred method, he said his preference for the narrative to be anchored with supporting characters and story arcs able to engage the audience.

Casting Outcome and Song Presentation

In the end, despite not casting Tamannaah Bhattia, the “Shararat” sequence was ultimately filming with Ayesha Khan as well as Krystle D’Souza. The team behind the creative decided to go with the dual-performer arrangement which Dhar believed would reduce the possibility of drawing excessive attention to one particular performer, and instead keep the audience’s focused on the story’s progression. This design choice is differentiating the music from standard Bollywood song sequences, which could focus on a star’s screen presence over the narrative’s coherence.

In terms of choreography “Shararat” has been appreciated for its dynamic choreography and its integration in the film’s wedding celebrations context. The track is staged in an important scene of the film’s setting in Dhurandhar which enhances the social context of a wedding celebration, but not compromising the film’s spying and dramatic themes.

Industry Reactions and Public Response

In the industry as well as among segments of the public Dhar’s choice has provoked various reactions. Some film experts have interpreted the decision as a reflection of a wider trend in modern Bollywood towards narrative-driven creative choices that do not rely on star power to generate involvement of the audience. Others have suggested that incorporating stars with high profile in an instrumental sequence might increase the track’s overall exposure, but possibly at the expense of the narrative’s coherence. Although Dhurandhar‘s songs have enjoyed a significant amount of popularity but his absence as a marquee for this particular song hasn’t hindered its popularity on social media platforms, nor its acceptance among viewers.

Social media interaction in the context of “Shararat” has also included user-generated content, dance songs and reworking choreography, which has contributed to the song’s broad exposure, which is without the need for conventional marketing strategies. Many observers have commented the fact that there was no big singer in the track didn’t diminish its appeal and in certain ways it has prompted discussion regarding the track’s organic appeal.

Context Within Dhurandhar‘s Broader Success

Dhurandhar‘s rise to prominence within the domestic market has been accompanied by a high participation from the public and a critical appreciation of its production quality in terms of narrative scope and its performance depth. The thriller with a spy theme that features an ensemble cast of Akshaye Khanna R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and Sara Arjun, weaves complex plots that draw upon international tensions and covert operations. The film’s impressive box office numbers make it one of the top-grossing Indian films in 2025. It has the strongest performance being on the Hindi film market.

Beyond its quantitative success Beyond its quantitative success, the film’s musical components have added to its cultural impact. Songs like “FA9LA” and “Shararat” have been the focus of discussion due to their choreography, stage as well as their integration into the narrative. Music critics have highlighted the music’s varied composition as a reason for enhancing the film’s theme as well as providing instances of enjoyment that are a hit with large audiences.

Director’s Creative Priorities

Aditya Dhar’s choice to not hiring a well-known performer in the film “Shararat” underscores a strategic importance of the balance between star power and the fidelity of the story. In an environment where film music is frequently used as a promotional tool, but also a an independent artistic product, the approach of Dhar represents a conscious effort to integrate musical sequences into a the narrative, not as isolated showcase events. This innovative approach has led to the debate about changing standards regarding Bollywood filmmaking, in which authenticity of the narrative and the ability to engage audiences are becoming increasingly seen as strategic distinctions in an increasingly competitive entertainment scene.

The information provided by Vijay Ganguly on the history of the song’s casting offers insight into the decision-making process behind the major Bollywood productions, in which choreographers, directors and producers must navigate a myriad of commercial and artistic issues to determine the final performance.