Director Aditya Dhar recently penned an emotional note for cinematographer Vikash Nowlakha, acknowledging his contribution to the Dhurandhar duology and calling him the “eye, the instinct, and the soul” behind the film’s visual storytelling. The message quickly drew attention online after Ranveer Singh re-shared the tribute on his Instagram story on the morning of April 6.
Aditya Dhar calls Vikash Nowlakha the “soul behind Dhurandhar”
Sharing a detailed post dedicated to the film’s director of photography, Aditya Dhar reflected on the timing of Vikash Nowlakha joining the project and described it as a turning point in the film’s journey. “He was the last HOD to come on board Dhurandhar. Just a few days before we began. And knowing how deeply selective he is, that timing meant everything. It felt less like onboarding a cinematographer, and more like destiny quietly stepping in at the right moment,” he wrote.
Dhar also recalled Nowlakha’s reaction after reading the script. “I still remember what he said after reading the script, ‘I’ve waited 30 years to do a film like this. I’ll give my life to it.’ And he meant every word.”
Filming across challenging locations and schedules
The director went on to describe the demanding nature of the shoot and credited the cinematographer’s commitment for helping sustain the film’s scale and momentum. “What followed was not just work, it was devotion. Through impossible schedules, through chaos that often felt unmanageable, through shooting what was essentially two films in the time and cost of one Vikash stood at the center of it all, steady and relentless,” he shared.
Dhar added that the team filmed in extreme conditions across locations such as Amritsar and Leh, where Nowlakha continued to support the vision of the project despite the physical challenges involved in production.
“He didn’t just capture moments, he gave them life”
In his note, Dhar emphasised that Nowlakha’s contribution extended beyond technical execution and shaped the emotional tone of the film. “His eye for detail, his emotional intelligence behind the lens, his ability to understand not just what a scene looks like, but what it feels like, that is where his genius lies. Every frame in Dhurandhar breathes because he allowed it to.”
He further wrote, “He didn’t just capture moments, he gave them life.” According to Dhar, Nowlakha’s suggestions on set consistently strengthened the storytelling. “His inputs on set were never loud, but always precise. Always truthful. Always elevating the film.”
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Ranveer Singh reshared the tribute for the cinematographer
The appreciation post received additional visibility after Ranveer Singh, who headlines Dhurandhar, re-shared Dhar’s message on his Instagram story while calling him “The unshakable, unbreakable Rock of Dhurandhar.”
Concluding his note, Dhar described Nowlakha’s contribution as something that would remain inseparable from the film’s identity.
“There are many who shoot films. Vikash lived this one. And in doing so, he has given Dhurandhar something that cannot be manufactured, a soul,” he wrote, adding that he looks forward to collaborating again on future stories.
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