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In a spirited endorsement that has drawn significant attention across the film industry, veteran actor Anupam Kher has celebrated the blockbuster success of Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller “Dhurandhar,” calling its reception a powerful rebuke to critics who labeled it propaganda.
The film, starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, has shattered box office records, surpassing the Rs 1000 crore mark in just 21 days to become 2025’s highest-grossing film. While Kher isn’t personally involved with the project, he expressed profound satisfaction with its success in a heartfelt Instagram video posted Saturday.
“I don’t have a role in this film. I am not connected to anything. But I don’t know why, with the success of this film, my heart is very peaceful. And I have felt peace and pride,” Kher remarked in Hindi, his comments resonating widely across social media platforms.
The 69-year-old actor drew parallels between “Dhurandhar” and cinematic landmarks like “The Godfather,” “Sholay,” and “Mughal-e-Azam,” suggesting the film has transcended mere entertainment to become culturally significant. He also referenced his own career-defining works including “Saaransh,” “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” and “The Kashmir Files.”
Kher particularly praised director Dhar for eschewing formulaic filmmaking in favor of conviction-driven storytelling. “I like Aditya Dhar. Not only because he is a Kashmiri, or that he comes from a family of people who were persecuted… but as a filmmaker because he has not followed any pattern or formula. No formula. Just conviction.”
The actor’s comments highlight ongoing tensions within India’s film industry regarding politically charged content. Kher directly addressed criticisms that “Dhurandhar” promotes propaganda, comparing it to similar accusations leveled at his own films “The Accidental Prime Minister” and “The Kashmir Files.”
“There was a clique of people who were behind proving propaganda to the film,” Kher said. “This is the same clique who tried to prove propaganda in my film ‘The Accidental Prime Minister,’ and they were successful in doing that. The same people tried to prove propaganda in ‘The Kashmir Files,’ and they were succeeded by 30 percent.”
For Kher, “Dhurandhar’s” commercial success represents a vindication against such criticism. “The film has slapped them, saying ‘Don’t teach us what propaganda is. You are not going to decide what is a propaganda film’. Don’t make us feel small: This is what the audience is saying to people like that,” he added.
Dhar, visibly moved by Kher’s endorsement, responded with gratitude: “Wow. This truly means so much, sir. Such pure emotion and generosity in your words. And to be mentioned in the same breath as those films is an honour I do not take lightly at all.” The director added that Kher’s observations about audience empowerment “holds so true in today’s time.”
“Dhurandhar,” which released on December 5, follows an Indian spy (Singh) sent to Pakistan’s Lyari to infiltrate a Baloch gang led by Rehman Dakait (Khanna). The film’s ensemble cast includes industry heavyweights Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal.
The action thriller’s success continues a trend of patriotic-themed films performing exceptionally well at the Indian box office, despite polarizing critical reception. Industry analysts note that films with nationalistic themes have consistently found favor with mass audiences across India’s diverse regional markets.
Capitalizing on the film’s success, producers have already announced “Dhurandhar 2,” scheduled for release on March 19, 2026. The announcement comes amid growing competition in India’s action thriller genre, with several major studios developing similar high-budget espionage franchises.
The discourse surrounding “Dhurandhar” reflects broader cultural debates about the intersection of entertainment and politics in contemporary Indian cinema, with filmmakers increasingly navigating the complex landscape of audience expectations and critical reception.
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11 Comments
Kher’s endorsement of ‘Dhurandhar’ is intriguing, but I can’t help but wonder about the film’s potential for propaganda. While commercial success is noteworthy, I’m more concerned with the film’s artistic integrity and its ability to engage audiences on a deeper level, beyond just political messaging.
Kher’s comments highlight the complex relationship between commercial success and cultural significance. While ‘Dhurandhar’ has clearly struck a chord with audiences, its lasting impact will depend on how it is perceived and discussed in the years to come. I’m curious to see how the critical reception evolves over time.
Interesting to see Anupam Kher’s take on the success of ‘Dhurandhar.’ While I’m skeptical of films with political messaging, the box office numbers suggest the story resonated with audiences. It’ll be fascinating to see how the critical reception evolves over time.
Kher’s comparison of ‘Dhurandhar’ to classics like ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Sholay’ is bold. Those films transcended their genres to become cultural touchstones. If ‘Dhurandhar’ can achieve that level of impact, it would be a remarkable achievement, regardless of its political leanings.
The success of ‘Dhurandhar’ raises important questions about the balance between entertainment and political ideology in cinema. While Kher’s comments suggest the film has resonated with audiences, I’ll need to see it for myself to assess whether it truly achieves the cultural significance he claims.
While I’m generally wary of films with overt political agendas, Kher’s enthusiasm for ‘Dhurandhar’ is hard to dismiss. The fact that it has become the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2025 suggests it struck a chord with audiences. I’m intrigued to learn more about the film’s creative merits beyond its controversial subject matter.
Kher makes some bold comparisons between ‘Dhurandhar’ and classic Bollywood films. I’m curious to watch the film and judge for myself whether it lives up to that lofty status. Commercial success doesn’t necessarily equate to cultural significance, but the public response is undeniable.
I agree, the commercial performance is noteworthy, but the true test will be how the film is viewed and remembered in the years ahead. Iconic status is earned over time, not just through box office numbers.
It’s interesting to see a veteran actor like Anupam Kher so passionately endorse a film that has drawn criticism as propaganda. His comments suggest a deeper personal connection to the film’s themes and message. I’ll have to reserve judgment until I can evaluate the film myself.
The box office performance of ‘Dhurandhar’ is undeniably impressive, but I’m more interested in the film’s artistic merits and its ability to transcend its political messaging. Kher’s comparisons to classic Bollywood films suggest the filmmakers have achieved something remarkable, but I’ll have to see it for myself to fully evaluate its cultural impact.
The success of ‘Dhurandhar’ raises interesting questions about the role of propaganda in popular entertainment. While I’m wary of films with overt political agendas, the public’s enthusiastic response suggests the story and characters resonated on a deeper level. I’ll have to reserve judgment until I can watch the film myself.