Shiv Kumar Panicker has enjoyed a long and fruitful collaboration with filmmaker Aditya Dhar. It began with "Uri: The Surgical Strike" through Dhar's productions "Article 370" and "Baramulla". Aside from the aforementioned films, Panicker has already proven himself as one of the most reliable and skilled editors in the business — especially when it comes to action sequences — with his work in Nikhil Nagesh Bhat's "Kill".
Aside from the tremendous contribution of its cinematographer Vikash Nowlakha, who was praised by Dhar in an earlier social media post the day before (scroll down to the end of this article to find it), Panicker's sharp editing skills turned both "Dhurandhar" films into the edge-of-the-seat experiences they are, despite the nearly four-hour-long runtimes.
Here's Dhar's full note on Panicker:
"Some relationships in filmmaking aren’t built on a single film, they’re built over years of trust, instinct, and standing by each other when it matters the most. Shiv has been that for me and much more.
He is not just my editor. He is my closest friend, my brother, my confidant, the kind of person whose loyalty is so absolute, it humbles you.
The kind of person who would stand for you, fight for you and if it ever came to it, even lay everything on the line for you.
And then there’s the genius.
Shiv is, without a doubt, one of the sharpest and smartest film editors I have ever known. But what makes him truly exceptional is not just his craft, it’s his instinct. His understanding of rhythm, emotion, and storytelling is almost frighteningly precise.
He doesn’t just edit a film, he breathes life into it.
With Dhurandhar, what he pulled off feels nothing short of miracle.
Yes, the decision to split the film into two parts was mine but the responsibility of making that decision work fell entirely on him. And the way he carried that on his shoulders, the way he shaped it, elevated it, and made it seamless was extraordinary.
In timelines that were, quite honestly, the craziest I have ever seen.
Where films of this scale take months, sometimes years to edit, Shiv delivered in a matter of days. Days. And not just delivered, he delivered excellence. The sharpest possible version of the film, under pressure that would break most people.
What we achieved with Dhurandhar, the scale, the quality, the deadlines is unheard of.
It breaks every conventional norm that filmmaking has followed for years. And a massive part of that credit belongs to him.
But what makes this even more special is that his contribution didn’t begin in the edit room.
He was there from the very beginning.
Like a silent co-director.
Through writing. Through prep. Through the chaos of shoot. Through post. Always present. 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.
The truth is, I don’t see myself making a film without him. Not now. Not ever. In many ways, he is my responsibility for life, just as much as he has made every film of mine his own.
Some contributions can be measured.
And then there are people like Shiv who become a part of your journey in a way that words can never fully capture.
Endless love, respect, and gratitude.
Dhurandhar will always carry his heartbeat within it."
On cinematographer Vikash Nowlakha, Dhar said:
"The eye, the instinct, and the soul behind Dhurandhar. 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. 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. 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. Carrying the weight of the film quite literally on his shoulders, pushing through the burning heat of Amritsar and the harsh cold of Leh, he never once let the vision falter. But what makes Vikash truly rare is not just his endurance, it’s the soul in his gaze. 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 didn’t just capture moments, he gave them life. His inputs on set were never loud, but always precise. Always truthful. Always elevating the film. 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. I feel immense gratitude, respect, and affection for the artist he is, and the human being he brought into this journey. This film carries his imprint forever. And I know this is only the beginning, the stories we will tell together from here on will go even further, shine even brighter, and create something truly timeless."