Saif Ali Khan, in a candid chat with The Hollywood Reporter India, says Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar marks a turning point for Hindi cinema, a time “before and after” the film. He praises its passionately made storytelling and globally inspired soundtrack by Shashwat Sachdev, blending Indian and international artists, and urges the industry to “wake up” to such bold, innovative work.
In a recent in-depth conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, actor Saif Ali Khan reflects on whether diversity is priority when choosing his next project. "People are more excited to see or interested to see something that is passionately made," he said — a quality he believes Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar has.
"Actually, I see a time before Dhurandhar and a time after. So it's up to us whether we catch up or not and wake up or not," he told THR India.
Also, talking specifically about the film's soundtrack, Khan feels it is important to draw inspiration that is more global, and "not be too frightened of English as an alienator." The Dhurandhar soundtrack, across both films, was much like this he feels.
The soundtrack for this blockbuster was a collaboration between Indian and international artists, with composer Shashwat Sachdev at the helm across both films.
Sachdev composed the original title tracks like Gehra Hua and Shararat and also reimagined classic songs into some of the most viral compositions, including Run Down the City - Monica, Ishq Jalakar and Lutt Le Gaye.
Dhurandhar also featured music by other renowned Indian singers like Arijit Singh, Sonu Nigam, Diljit Dosanjh, Hanumankind and Usha Uthup, collaborating with major international singers including Jasmine Sandlas and Flipperachi among others.
"Some of those remixes and ideas are fantastic. Everybody loved the treatment of the songs," said Khan, calling the music score both clever and revolutionary.
Hinting at the film's dance number, the actor feels that, "instead of hiring a beautiful leading lady to do an item for you, if you just treat it as a song and have these two girls performing as you would in a wedding, it wouldn't jar the eyes or take the attention away."
Khan is next set to appear in Priyadarshan's action thriller Haiwaan alongside Akshay Kumar in the lead role. The film will also have a cameo by Malayalam cinema legend Mohanlal and it set for a worldwide theatrical release on September 11.