In a surprising turn of events, popular content creator and political commentator Dhruv Rathee has voiced strong concerns regarding the increasing levels of gore and violence in Indian cinema. This comes after the release of the trailer for Aditya Dhar's upcoming spy-action thriller, "Dhurandhar," starring Ranveer Singh, which Rathee heavily criticized.

Rathee took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his views, stating that the trailer of "Dhurandhar" had "crossed a limit of cheapness in Bollywood". He compared the film's graphic violence to "watching ISIS beheadings and calling it 'entertainment'". The trailer includes scenes of torture, including one where a character is skinned alive, and another depicting a brutal beating. These scenes, in particular, sparked Rathee's criticism.

The trailer of "Dhurandhar" features Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy operating in Pakistan, alongside Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and R. Madhavan. While many fans have lauded the trailer's dark tone, intense action, and gripping storyline, Rathee has accused the filmmaker, Aditya Dhar, of "poisoning the minds of the young generation" by glorifying torture and desensitizing them to gore. He further added that Dhar's "lust for money is so unhinged that he is willingly poisoning the minds of the young generation".

Rathee also urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to scrutinize the film for excessive brutality, questioning whether the board has "a bigger problem with people kissing or watching someone get skinned alive". This comment has ignited a debate about censorship standards in India.

Interestingly, this criticism has led to reflection on Rathee's past views. Some social media users pointed out that Rathee had previously praised Anurag Kashyap's "Gangs of Wasseypur," a film also known for its violence. In response, Rathee admitted that his views have evolved over time. "I was wrong," he stated, "back then I didn't understand the impact such films have on society".

Rathee's comments have sparked a wider discussion about the portrayal of violence in Indian cinema and its potential impact on audiences, particularly the younger generation. While some defend the artistic freedom to depict violence, others echo Rathee's concerns about its normalization and potential desensitization.

Actor Ranvir Shorey also entered the debate, leading to a heated exchange with Rathee online. This further amplified the discussion around violence, censorship, and the responsibilities of public figures in the digital age.

"Dhurandhar" is scheduled to release in theaters on December 5. The film's trailer was launched at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai.