New Delhi:Aditya Dhar, the URI filmmaker who took over the country with his spy-thriller Dhurandhar and its sequel, is now busy praising the people who helped make these movies a success. On Sunday, the director wrote a long post for Dhurandhar cinematographer Vikas Naulakha. Today, Monday, he wrote a long note for the film's editor, Shiv Kumar Panicker.
Aditya also sent him a few pictures from behind the scenes and called him the "silent co-director" of Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar: The Revenge.
What did Aditya Dhar say?
The Dhurandhar 2 director began by saying, "Here's to Shiv Kumar Panicker!" Some relationships in filmmaking aren't based on just one movie; they're based on years of trust, gut feelings, and being there for each other when it counts. Shiv has been that and a lot more for me. He is more than just my editor. He is my best friend, my brother, and the person I trust the most. His loyalty is so strong that it makes you feel small. The kind of person who would stand up for you, fight for you, and even risk everything for you if it came to that. And then there's the smart person.
He is the smartest person who edits films: Aditya Dhar
Aditya also said, "Shiv is without a doubt one of the smartest and sharpest film editors I've ever met." But what really sets him apart is not just his skill, but also his gut feeling. He knows almost too well how to tell a story, feel emotion, and keep a beat. He doesn't just cut a movie; he gives it life. What he did with Dhurandhar seems like a miracle. Yes, I was the one who decided to break the movie into two parts, but it was up to him to make that decision work. And the way he shaped it, raised it, and made it seamless was amazing. In timelines that were, quite honestly, the craziest I have ever seen.'
"Editing movies of this size can take months or even years, but Shiv did it in a matter of days." Days. And not only did he deliver, he delivered excellence. The sharpest possible version of the movie, with a lot of stress that would break most people. What we did with Dhurandhar—the size, the quality, and the deadlines—is something that has never been done before. It goes against everything that has been done in filmmaking for years. And a massive part of that credit belongs to him,' the filmmaker wrote on X.
Aditya calls Shiv the quiet co-director.
"But what makes this even more special is that he didn't start helping out in the editing room. From the start, he was there. Like a co-director who doesn't speak. By writing. Through preparation. In the middle of the shoot's chaos. By mail. Always there. Always thinking. Always pushing the film to be better. He never once allowed the pressure to dilute the work. He never once chose convenience over conviction. He never once stepped back. That integrity, that hunger, that loyalty is rare. And it’s something I will carry with me for life,' Aditya wrote in his social media post.
"But what makes this even more special is that he didn't start helping out in the editing room. From the start, he was there. Like a co-director who doesn't speak. By writing. Through preparation. In the middle of the shoot's chaos. By mail. Always there. Always in thought. Always trying to make the movie better. He never let the stress get to the work. He never put convenience ahead of his beliefs. He never once backed down. It's not common to find that kind of honesty, drive, and loyalty. Aditya wrote on social media, "And it's something I will carry with me for life."
Also Check Out: