'Judgment day': RGV hypes 'Dhurandhar 2'-'Toxic' clash
What's the story
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has weighed in on the highly anticipated box-office clash between Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic, describing the March 19 showdown as more than just a battle between two films. In a lengthy, sharply worded social media post, Varma described the release as a clash between two fundamentally different visions of cinema, one rooted in realism and consequence, and the other driven by style and attitude.
Film analysis
Varma's perspective on 'Dhurandhar 2'
Varma wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "#Dhuroxic on March 19th will be the ultimate clash between ultra-realistic cinema and ultra-unrealistic cinema." "D is built on cause, leading to effect and consequence. It reveals that violence has moral, psychological, and political foundations." "The characters act because they must, not because they will look cool."
Twitter Post
See Varma's post here
. #Dhuroxic on March 19th will be the ultimate clash between ultra realistic cinema and ultra unrealistic cinema
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) January 13, 2026
D is built on cause , leading to effect and consequence.
It reveals that violence has moral, psychological, and political foundations.
The Characters act because they…
Film critique
Varma's critique of 'Toxic' and its narrative style
In contrast, Varma characterized, "In T Style precedes logic. Violence exists to display attitude, not necessity." "T assumes the audience wants stimulation, not emotional engagement like D." "D respects grim reality. T sells fantasy dressed as seriousness." "D unsettles. T tries to impress. D's Protagonist is human. He can fail, misjudge, bleed, age." Varma added, "T's Protagonist is born bulletproof."
Audience engagement
Varma's post raised questions about audience preferences
Varma's post also questioned long-held ideas around hero worship and stylized violence in Indian cinema. He critiqued whether audiences would continue to "root for the same dark hero walking in slow motion," or equate "smoking in slow motion" with character depth. He further compared watching the two films together as "being inside a war zone versus next to a fashion shoot." "Let's find out on MARCH 19... #Dhuroxic JUDGMENT DAY."
Release details
'Dhurandhar 2' and 'Toxic' are set for March 19 release
For context, Dhurandhar, which was released in December, stars Ranveer Singh alongside Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and others. The film follows an Indian undercover spy who goes to Pakistan to dismantle gangster Rehman Dakait's network. Its second part is coming in March. Meanwhile, Toxic stars Yash with a female cast leading the ensemble, including Huma Qureshi, Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Rukmini Vasanth, and Tara Sutaria.