Naveen Kaushik, who plays Donga in the recently released action thriller Dhurandhar, is addressing the controversy surrounding the film's depiction of violence. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, has been a box office success, reportedly approaching ₹900 crore globally. However, it has also faced criticism, with some labeling it as "propaganda" due to its intense and graphic violence.
In an exclusive interview, Kaushik defended the film's creative choices, arguing that the violence is essential to the story and mirrors the work of acclaimed filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino. "If we look at the script, I think Aditya (Dhar) Sir has done very well by showing so much bloodshed in it because it was very important to show how our agent went amongst such people," Kaushik stated. He elaborated that the violence was necessary to realistically portray the brutal world the protagonist inhabits, where "people do not feel the pain of others, they enjoy it".
Kaushik drew a parallel to Tarantino's films, known for their stylized and often excessive violence. "I like a director very much, Quentin Tarantino is his name. Pick up any of his films... Kill Bill, Hateful Eight, Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds, there is so much bloodshed in them that people take bath in blood," Kaushik remarked. He argued that while such depictions are accepted in world cinema, Dhurandhar has faced unwarranted criticism for similar content.
The actor emphasized the importance of showing reality, even if it's gruesome. "People have understood that the more you show reality, the more people will relate to it, because our reality is more dramatic, more gory, than any film," he explained. He highlighted specific scenes, such as the one where Arjun Rampal's character inserts hooks into an agent, and another where Akshaye Khanna's character, Rahman Dakait, kills Babu Dakait, to illustrate the characters' brutality and the high stakes involved.
The film has also faced accusations of being a "propaganda movie," particularly from YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, who released a video criticizing its narrative and excessive violence. Kaushik responded to Rathee's claims, suggesting that the criticism has inadvertently benefited the film. "Everyone has their own opinion, and he too has his own, which we have no problem with," Kaushik said. "We are getting more viewers even after his video; in fact, the numbers are increasing. If the film benefits, then what difference does the publicity make, good or bad? His video has already received 15 million views, so I would say welcome, Dhruv Rathee. Your opinion has definitely benefited us".
Despite the controversy, Dhurandhar has garnered significant praise and commercial success. Kaushik noted the positive reception from Pakistani audiences, who recognize that the film targets wrongdoers rather than an entire community. He quoted, "I have noticed in the comments that the Pakistani audience has realised that the film has never talked ill about them, never criticised them. We have not abused the Muslim community".
Dhurandhar, which was released on December 5, 2025, features a star-studded cast including R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Sara Arjun. A sequel is already planned for release on March 19, 2026.
