Dhruv Rathee Criticizes Aditya Dhar’s “Dhurandhar 2” as Propaganda

A deepening feud between popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee and filmmaker Aditya Dhar has escalated as Rathee publicly denounced Dhar’s latest film “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” as political propaganda. The controversy has ignited a larger debate about the boundaries of artistic expression and political messaging in Indian cinema.

In his recent post on social media platform X, Rathee didn’t mince words when he labeled Dhar a “BJP propagandist,” suggesting that while the director’s previous work contained subtle political messaging, his latest film abandons subtlety altogether.

“I called Aditya Dhar a BJP propagandist 3 months ago. Now everyone will see it,” Rathee wrote. “It was subtle in the previous film, but he went so blatant this time in overconfidence. Remember how I said, well-made propaganda is more dangerous? Ab toh well-made bhi nahi raha. Lol.” The last line, in Hindi, roughly translates to “Now it’s not even well-made.”

This isn’t the first time Rathee has taken aim at the film. Following the release of the “Dhurandhar” trailer on November 18, the YouTuber criticized what he described as excessive violence and gore, comparing the content to “ISIS beheadings” being presented as entertainment.

“Aditya Dhar has truly crossed a limit of cheapness in Bollywood,” Rathee stated. “His lust for money is so unhinged that he is willingly poisoning the minds of the young generation.” He also called on India’s Censor Board to demonstrate whether they have “a bigger problem with people kissing or watching someone get skinned alive.”

The film has proven commercially successful despite—or perhaps partly because of—the controversy surrounding it, recently crossing the ₹300 crore mark at the Indian box office. This milestone appears to have further motivated Rathee, who announced plans to release a video analysis that would “destroy a ₹300 crore propaganda film.”

“It takes 1 YouTube video to destroy a ₹300 crore propaganda film,” Rathee declared. “And I guarantee you that the MELTDOWN after this video will be so bad. They’re not ready for this.”

The dispute has drawn actor Ranvir Shorey into the fray, who publicly defended Dhar against Rathee’s criticisms. The controversy highlights the increasingly politicized nature of Indian cinema, where films are often scrutinized for potential political biases or messaging.

Film industry analysts note that this public spat reflects a broader trend in Indian entertainment, where content creators are increasingly taking political stances that resonate with their audience bases. The Indian film industry has seen several politically charged productions in recent years, with movies touching on nationalism, historical events, and contemporary political issues often generating heated debates.

“The line between entertainment and propaganda has become increasingly blurred,” says media analyst Rajiv Menon. “Audiences are more politically aware than ever, and they’re quick to identify messaging that aligns with specific ideologies.”

The controversy also raises questions about content regulation in Indian cinema. While the Central Board of Film Certification is tasked with regulating film content, critics argue that violence often receives less scrutiny than sexual content or political messaging that challenges government narratives.

As the dispute continues to unfold on social media, it underscores the powerful role that digital influencers like Rathee now play in shaping public discourse around mainstream entertainment. With millions of followers across platforms, content creators can significantly impact public perception of major releases.

Neither Dhar nor the film’s producers have issued an official response to Rathee’s most recent criticisms, though supporters continue to defend the film’s creative merits and commercial success. Meanwhile, audiences remain divided, with the controversy likely driving further interest in both the film and Rathee’s forthcoming analysis.