Dhurandhar Star Naveen Kaushik Pens Heartfelt Note Expressing Gratitude To Director Aditya Dhar: World Now Sees You As The Master

Ranveer

Singh's spy thriller, Dhurandhar, is unstoppable at the box office. Despite Avatar: Fire and Ash's theatrical release, the film has managed to keep the momentum alive. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy thriller was released on December 5, 2025 and within three weeks of its release, it has earned over Rs 500 crore. The film also features Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Aditya, and Arjun Rampal. Amid all the buzz, actor Naveen Kaushik, who plays Donga in the film, recently shared a lengthy note expressing his gratitude.

Naveen Kaushik Lauds Dhurandhar Director Aditya Dhar

Taking to Instagram, Naveen opened up about the challenges he faced in his acting journey, and how he struggled to trust himself amid rejections and self-doubt. He wrote, "Dear @adityadharfilms Sir, Being an actor is all about trust. First, getting your family to trust that you chose the right path. Then getting the industry to trust you as a professional. Then getting a director to trust you with his vision. Then finally, getting the audience to trust you to entertain them." Further, he added, "Somewhere in there, you forget that before everything, you have to trust yourself. Trust that all the sacrifices, all the rejections, the endless hours of waiting for non-returning casting calls, the ego massaging, the networking, the running after payments, the doubting of your abilities in the face of talentless "stars"—all these mean something. It means that you were supposed to be here. That you deserve to be here. I had forgotten my trust in me. I had forgotten the faith I had put in myself. I was ready to quit and leave. At the behest of Mukesh Sir, I took a meeting with you. This was my last Hail Mary before leaving the industry for good."

I Was About To Quit Acting: Naveen

Recalling their first meeting, the actor shared, "Our meeting was two guys of the same age connecting over their Delhi theatre roots. About remembering how and why we came to this heartbreakingly enchanting city. I still remember the day when you gathered many of the actors from the cast and, after the story narration, told us all, "I need you all to put your trust in me and help me make this humongous project happen." I suddenly felt that this was my movie. Not that I was acting in it, but mine, like I had become part of the village that raises a child." "The last year and a half has been a journey. Tough, sometimes frustrating, but deliciously thrilling. From the locations to the action, through it all, Aditya sir, you have been the captain that kept the boat steady. Kept the vision when some might have lost it. Kept your cool when the heat of the moment would lead anyone astray. You put your trust in me to bring one of your characters to life and helped make it one of my biggest achievements. You helped me to trust myself again. Now as you rise to the upper echelons of directors in this country, I know the world now sees you as the master, the genius, the craftsman, and the storyteller that you truly are," Kaushik concluded. The sequel of the film, Dhurandhar 2, will hit cinemas on March 19, 2026.