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Danish Iqbal Defends ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Against Propaganda Claims, Praises Director Aditya Dhar
Actor Danish Iqbal, who portrays the character “Bade Saab” – a role inspired by notorious underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim – has spoken out against critics who have labeled the spy-thriller “Dhurandhar 2” as propaganda.
In a recent interview with Firstpost, Iqbal dismissed the criticism that has surrounded the film since its release on March 19, 2026. “It is very easy to label anything as propaganda or non-propaganda. I don’t see any merit in this argument,” Iqbal stated. “It’s a film that people are enjoying and watching in good numbers.”
The film, officially titled “Dhurandhar: The Revenge,” serves as the conclusion to director Aditya Dhar’s “Dhurandhar” duology. It follows an undercover Indian intelligence agent’s continued mission infiltrating Karachi’s criminal and political networks, delving deeper into the intersection of organized crime and terrorism in Pakistan.
Iqbal’s defense comes amid growing discourse in Indian cinema about nationalistic themes and their portrayal of geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. The film industry has seen an increase in patriotic narratives over the past decade, with some critics questioning whether such films blur the line between entertainment and political messaging.
In his interview, Iqbal reserved particular praise for director Dhar’s approach to the sensitive subject matter. “Aditya Dhar is like an electrifying monk – calm yet charged with vision,” the actor explained. “He is exceptionally clear about his ideas and fearless in execution. What he has achieved is nothing short of a cinematic miracle.”
Iqbal emphasized the democratic atmosphere Dhar created on set, describing him as “warm” and “compassionate” – qualities that allowed actors to deliver authentic performances in a film dealing with complex themes of national security, terrorism, and cross-border tensions.
“Dhurandhar 2” features an ensemble cast of Bollywood heavyweights, including Ranveer Singh in the lead role, alongside Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun. The film’s narrative picks up following the death of character Rehman Dakait, as protagonist Jaskirat Singh Rangi (operating under the alias Hamza Ali Mazari) faces escalating threats while embedded within enemy territory.
The film’s release strategy included paid previews beginning on March 18, a day before its official theatrical launch – a tactic increasingly employed by major Bollywood productions to generate opening weekend momentum and word-of-mouth publicity.
Industry analysts note that the spy-thriller genre has experienced a resurgence in Indian cinema in recent years, with films like “Dhurandhar 2” tapping into audiences’ appetite for stories of covert operations and national security. The film’s reception reflects both commercial success and the ongoing debate about political undertones in mainstream entertainment.
While promoting “Dhurandhar 2,” Iqbal also revealed information about his upcoming project. The actor is set to appear in “Khosla Ka Ghosla 2,” a sequel to the beloved 2006 comedy-drama that became a sleeper hit and cult classic. The new film will reunite Iqbal with veteran actors Anupam Kher and Boman Irani, with its release scheduled for August 28, 2026, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan holiday – a strategic release date that could maximize the film’s box office potential during the festive period.
As “Dhurandhar 2” continues its theatrical run, Iqbal’s comments highlight the ongoing tension between artistic expression and political interpretation in contemporary Indian cinema, where entertainment and national sentiment often intertwine in complex ways.
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8 Comments
Dismissing criticism as ‘easy to label’ something as propaganda is a bold move by the actor. I wonder if the film will manage to navigate the tricky balance between entertainment and political messaging effectively.
Interesting to see how the film defends itself against the propaganda accusations. I’m curious to learn more about the ‘Dhurandhar’ duology and its portrayal of the India-Pakistan dynamic.
Yes, it’s an intriguing approach to tackle sensitive geopolitical themes through a fictional narrative. I wonder how the film balances storytelling with political messaging.
The ‘Dhurandhar’ duology seems to be tapping into current geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. As an observer of the mining and energy sectors, I’ll be interested to see if the films touch on any related economic or resource issues.
As someone interested in the mining and commodities industry, I’m curious to see if this film touches on any related themes, like the underground economy or resource conflicts. The director’s previous work seems to have a strong focus on national security.
The actor’s defense of the film as not being propaganda is notable. It speaks to the ongoing debate around nationalism and patriotism in Indian cinema. I’ll have to keep an eye out for reviews to see how the film is received.
Spy thrillers often walk a fine line between entertainment and political messaging. I hope the ‘Dhurandhar’ films manage to engage the audience without veering too heavily into propaganda, regardless of the director’s intentions.
Curious to see how the film portrays the intersection of organized crime and terrorism in Pakistan. That sounds like a complex and sensitive topic to tackle in a mainstream Bollywood production.