Guddu Dhanoa Discusses His Upcoming Film Romeo S3 and Industry Insights
A Candid Conversation with Guddu Dhanoa
Renowned director and producer Guddu Dhanoa speaks his mind without any embellishments, embodying the spirit of a true Punjabi. He acknowledges that being related to superstar Dharmendra has certainly benefited his career, proudly stating, “The daughter of our family, my buaji, gave birth to such a phenomenon.”
Dhanoa, who has openly expressed his disappointment with fellow Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh, remains firm in his views. While he refrains from discussing Diljit, whom he introduced in The Lion of Punjab, he remarks, “I don’t understand why newcomers act differently; they call you godfather, touch your feet, and then change over time.”
Despite his connections, Dhanoa has chosen not to cast major stars in his upcoming project, Romeo S3. Throughout his career, he has often worked with fresh talent, having launched big names like Govinda and Kimi Katkar in Mera Lahoo and Shah Rukh Khan in Deewana. He highlights that both Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra have remained grounded despite their success, noting, “Success and failure in this industry are unpredictable.”
When asked about the prospects of Romeo S3 amidst a string of box office failures, Dhanoa admits that predicting a film's success is challenging. “Every film has its own destiny. Even a well-made film can fail, and people search for reasons, but the success formula remains elusive,” he explains, referencing the initial flop of Sanam Teri Kasam, which later became a hit upon re-release. He feels optimistic about Romeo S3, especially since its trailer has already attracted significant attention. The film's modest budget of Rs 10 crore also makes it easier to recoup costs.
As for the title, S3 stands for the lead character's name, Sangram Singh Shekawat. With the protagonist being a police officer, Dhanoa is unbothered by comparisons to other cop films, asserting, “Thakur Anoop Singh, our hero, has performed exceptionally and is not imitating anyone.” He also praises his leading lady, Palak Tiwari, calling her a ‘big star of the future.’
Having previously directed the patriotic film Shaheed about Bhagat Singh, Dhanoa expresses his respect for the Indian Army, stating, “Who am I to give messages to our Army? They are the true heroes who protect us.” He recalls working with his nephews, Sunny and Bobby Deol, praising their professionalism and reminiscing about Sunny being the biggest star he collaborated with in Ziddi.
Although some may think Dhanoa has been inactive recently, he clarifies that he has been engaged in regional cinema, including a Marathi film. He shares, “Sometimes projects don’t materialize. We were close to finalizing Bichhoo 2, but Bobby informed me that someone else was already working on a similar story, so we had to pivot.” Currently, he is also working on Deewaana 2 and Bichhoo 2, alongside a web series titled Shubhchintak featuring acclaimed actors Dimple Kapadia and Anupam Kher.
Dhanoa aims to diversify his cinematic portfolio rather than being pigeonholed into one genre. As he gears up for the release of action film Romeo S3 on May 16, he clarifies that the title refers to Operation Romeo, not a romantic narrative. His passion for filmmaking remains unwavering, as he states, “I feel alive only when I am on set.” With that, it’s lights, camera, action for Dhanoa!