Salman Khan Applauds Ranveer Singh’s Performance in Dhurandhar

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has praised Ranveer Singh for his performance in Dhurandhar, highlighting the actor’s ability to restrain his naturally energetic screen presence to suit the demands of the role. Speaking on the opening episode of Koffee With Karan Season 9, Salman also explained why Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor should not be judged against each other, despite frequent comparisons between the two actors.

The conversation featured actor Karisma Kapoor alongside Salman and host Karan Johar. During the rapid-fire segment, Karisma asked Salman which performance had impressed him more: Ranveer’s in Dhurandhar or Ranbir’s in Animal.

Rather than choosing one actor over the other, Salman emphasised that both performers bring different strengths to their work.

He described them as actors with contrasting styles, noting that one possesses exceptional energy while the other delivers considerable intensity. According to Salman, their individual approaches make a direct comparison unfair.

His remarks offered insight into how established performers assess acting beyond popularity, box office success or audience debates.

Why Salman Khan Was Impressed by Ranveer Singh in Dhurandhar

Explaining his appreciation for Ranveer Singh, Salman focused on the restraint the actor demonstrated in Dhurandhar. Known for his expressive personality and high-energy performances, Ranveer had to approach the character differently, keeping his usual larger-than-life mannerisms under control.

Salman pointed out that this adjustment was a significant achievement for the actor. Instead of relying entirely on his natural screen energy, Ranveer adapted his performance to the requirements of the character.

The superstar also highlighted the confidence required to make such a choice. For an actor known for an expressive style, deliberately holding back can be as demanding as delivering an intense or dramatic scene.

Salman's comments suggest that Ranveer's performance stood out not simply because of the energy he brought to the role, but because he understood when to restrain it.

This ability to adapt one's acting style is often an important part of character-driven filmmaking, where subtle expressions, controlled reactions and measured dialogue can be as effective as dramatic performances.

Salman Khan Says Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor Have Different Acting Styles

The debate over whether Ranveer Singh or Ranbir Kapoor is the stronger actor has remained a recurring topic among Bollywood audiences. Both have developed distinctive screen identities, making comparisons common whenever they deliver widely discussed performances.

Salman, however, argued that their acting styles are fundamentally different.

While Ranveer is often associated with energetic portrayals and expressive character transformations, Ranbir has earned recognition for performances that frequently rely on emotional intensity and internal conflict. Their approaches can vary significantly depending on the character and the demands of a film.

By highlighting these differences, Salman avoided turning the discussion into a competition. His assessment placed greater emphasis on how effectively each actor performs a particular role rather than establishing a single ranking.

Karan Johar agreed with Salman's observation during the conversation, reinforcing the view that the two actors bring different qualities to the screen.

The discussion also reflects a broader question in cinema: whether acting should be evaluated through direct comparisons or through the individual demands of each performance.

Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar 2 Deliver Major Box Office Success

Beyond the discussion about acting, the Dhurandhar franchise has attracted attention for its reported worldwide box office collections.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, the films feature an ensemble cast that includes Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt and Sara Arjun in key roles.

According to figures cited by industry tracker Sacnilk, the first instalment, Dhurandhar, collected approximately ₹1,307.35 crore worldwide, placing it among the highest-grossing Indian films.

The sequel, Dhurandhar 2, reportedly earned around ₹1,813.39 crore globally, placing it among the biggest commercial successes in Indian cinema. The figures cited in the source report rank it behind Aamir Khan's Dangal, which collected approximately ₹2,070.30 crore worldwide.

The reported collections have strengthened the franchise's commercial standing and contributed to the discussion surrounding Ranveer Singh's performance and career trajectory.

However, box office rankings can vary depending on the reporting source and the treatment of international earnings, re-releases and updated collections.

How Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal Compares at the Box Office

Ranbir Kapoor's Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, was another major commercial success. Released in 2023, the film featured Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna and Triptii Dimri alongside Ranbir in prominent roles.

The film reportedly earned approximately ₹915 crore worldwide, according to the figures cited in the source report.

Animal generated extensive discussion because of its intense narrative, controversial themes and Ranbir's portrayal of a deeply flawed protagonist. His performance became a major talking point, with audiences debating the character's emotional complexity and the film's approach to violence and family relationships.

Although both Animal and the Dhurandhar films have achieved substantial commercial success, their narratives, characters and performances are different. Their box office totals alone cannot establish which actor delivered the stronger performance.

Salman's remarks reinforce this distinction, suggesting that Ranveer and Ranbir should be appreciated for their individual strengths rather than measured against a single standard.

What Salman Khan’s Comments Reveal About Acting

Salman's assessment of Ranveer Singh's work in Dhurandhar highlights an aspect of performance that can sometimes be overlooked in discussions dominated by star power and commercial results: the ability to exercise restraint.

A convincing performance does not always require an actor to display the maximum possible emotion or energy. In some roles, a controlled expression, a pause or a measured response can communicate more than an exaggerated reaction.

For an actor with an energetic screen persona, demonstrating that restraint can also show flexibility and confidence in the character.

At the same time, Ranbir Kapoor's work in Animal illustrates a different approach to characterisation, built around intensity and emotional conflict.

Rather than declaring one style superior, Salman's comments acknowledge that different performances require different techniques. This perspective provides a more useful framework for discussing acting than simply asking which popular star is better.

Conclusion

Salman Khan's praise for Ranveer Singh's performance in Dhurandhar has added another perspective to the ongoing discussion surrounding Ranveer and Ranbir Kapoor. While he acknowledged the distinct qualities of both actors, he particularly appreciated Ranveer's decision to control his trademark energy to meet the demands of his character.

With Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar 2 recording impressive reported worldwide collections, and Animal remaining one of Ranbir Kapoor's major commercial successes, comparisons between the actors are likely to continue.

Salman's central point, however, was clear: Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor have different acting styles, and their performances deserve to be judged on their individual merits rather than treated as a contest.

Sources By Agencies