Anurag Kashyap, the noted Bollywood director, has voiced his opinion on Aditya Dhar's recent film, "Dhurandhar," calling it a "courageous mainstream film". Kashyap made these remarks during a discussion entitled "Fearless Film Making" at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival. Despite disagreeing with some of the film's political ideologies, Kashyap rejected the notion of labeling it as "propaganda".
Kashyap acknowledged that "Dhurandhar" takes risks in its narrative and stands out amongst contemporary releases. He stated, "This is a good example of a courageous mainstream film". However, he also pointed out that certain creative choices, specifically "the dialogue about 'This is the new India' and one long political monologue," were avoidable. He felt that the film's impact would not have been diminished without these insertions.
Despite his reservations about specific political elements, Kashyap praised director Aditya Dhar's honesty and integrity. Kashyap has known Dhar since working as a writer on Dhar's National Award-winning short film, "Boond" (2009). Kashyap emphasized that Dhar's films often revolve around Kashmir, reflecting his experiences as a Kashmiri Pandit who has "suffered". Kashyap said that although he might disagree and want to argue about the politics of "Dhurandhar", he recognizes the film's significance. He also lauded Ranveer Singh's performance in the film as "secure" and his favorite aspect.
Kashyap further elaborated on the tendency to brand films as propaganda, stating, "Calling a film propaganda is itself a form of propaganda". He drew a comparison to Hollywood's Marvel films, suggesting they often propagate American supremacy without facing similar scrutiny. Kashyap's comments arrive amidst considerable discussion and speculation surrounding "Dhurandhar"'s political undertones and its broader message.
"Dhurandhar," starring Ranveer Singh, revolves around an Indian spy infiltrating Karachi's criminal syndicates and political structures to dismantle a terror network. The film, reportedly inspired by true events, is the first installment of a planned two-part series, with "Dhurandhar 2" slated for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026.
The film has garnered mixed reviews from critics. While some have lauded its action sequences, storytelling, and performances, others have criticized its runtime and political insertions.
Following its theatrical release, "Dhurandhar" became available on Netflix. However, some viewers complained about the streaming quality, particularly concerning color grading. Netflix has reportedly addressed these concerns by rolling out an updated version with a higher bitrate. The film was reportedly banned in Pakistan and several Middle Eastern countries due to its anti-Pakistan theme.