Why Aditya Dhar Rejected Tamannaah Bhatia for Dhurandhar’s Shararat Song — And How the Decision Paid Off
Krystle D'Souza and Ayesha Khan in a still from Dhurandhar song, Shararat (Image: YouTube Via thedailyjagran)
Dhurandhar continues its record-breaking run
Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller Dhurandhar has emerged as one of the biggest cinematic successes in recent years, cementing its place among Hindi cinema’s all-time hits. Starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, the film has posted staggering numbers at the box office, collecting ₹555 crore net domestically and crossing ₹800 crore worldwide within just 17 days of its release.
As the film continues to dominate theatres and face off against international releases like Avatar: Fire and Ash, new behind-the-scenes details are adding to the fascination around its making—particularly about one creative decision that surprised many.
Tamannaah Bhatia was considered for Shararat
In a recent interview with Filmygyan, choreographer Vijay Ganguly revealed that actress Tamannaah Bhatia was initially his first choice for the film’s popular song Shararat. According to Ganguly, he strongly felt that Tamannaah would be ideal for the number and suggested her name to director Aditya Dhar.
However, Dhar decisively turned down the idea.
Aditya Dhar’s clear vision: No distraction from the story
Explaining the director’s reasoning, Ganguly said Aditya Dhar was firm about not wanting Shararat to feel like a traditional “item song.” Dhar reportedly believed that casting a single, high-profile star would shift audience attention away from the narrative and turn the song into a standalone spectacle.
Instead, Dhar wanted the song to remain integrated into the film’s storytelling rather than becoming a visual diversion. This philosophy ultimately led to the casting of Krystle D’Souza and Ayesha Khan, giving the song a balanced presence without overpowering the plot.
Why Shararat featured two performers
Ganguly further explained that the decision to feature two performers was deliberate. With the film packed with high-stakes drama and narrative momentum, Shararat was designed to function as a mood-setting sequence rather than a showstopper centred on one star.
According to him, had Tamannaah been cast, the song’s identity would have revolved entirely around her star power. By using two performers instead, the focus remained on the atmosphere and the film’s progression.
Shararat’s global popularity
Despite avoiding a conventional item-song format, Shararat went on to achieve massive popularity. The track gained international attention when global pop star Nick Jonas shared a video of himself dancing to it as his “pre-show hype song.”
In the viral clip, Nick Jonas was seen grooving with brothers Joe and Kevin Jonas, along with band members Michael Deleasa and Jack Lawless, ahead of a performance in Las Vegas. The moment further amplified the song’s reach and highlighted how Dhurandhar has crossed cultural and geographical boundaries.
Dhurandhar vs global competition
Released on December 5, Dhurandhar has maintained strong occupancy across India while also performing impressively overseas. The film’s sustained run has even posed serious competition to Hollywood big-budget releases, including James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Trade analysts attribute this success to Dhar’s disciplined storytelling, refusal to dilute the narrative for spectacle, and the powerful performances delivered by its ensemble cast.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
Aditya Dhar’s decision to reject a star-driven approach for Shararat reflects the filmmaking philosophy that has defined Dhurandhar’s success. By prioritising story over momentary spectacle, the director ensured that every element served the larger narrative. The film’s record-breaking run suggests that audiences continue to reward clarity of vision—proving that sometimes, restraint is the boldest creative choice.