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Popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee Criticizes Box Office Hit ‘Dhurandhar’ as “Dangerous Propaganda”
Political commentator and YouTube personality Dhruv Rathee has sparked controversy by labeling the blockbuster Bollywood film “Dhurandhar” as “dangerous propaganda” in a scathing critique that has quickly gone viral across social media platforms.
In a detailed analysis posted to his YouTube channel on Saturday evening titled “Reality of Dhurandhar,” Rathee acknowledged the film’s technical merits while arguing that these same qualities make its messaging particularly concerning. The 31-year-old content creator accused the filmmakers of selling “jhootha and vahiyat propaganda” (lies and falsehoods) to audiences.
“Well-made propaganda is more dangerous, and films like ‘The Taj Story’ and ‘The Bengal Films’ were not dangerous, kyunki wo bakwaas films thi (because they were bad films). But Dhurandhar is an engaging film,” Rathee stated in his video breakdown.
The commentator specifically rejected the common defense that “Dhurandhar” should be viewed as mere entertainment, pointing to the film’s repeated claims of being inspired by actual events. “It says so in the trailer. It shows the real footage from the 26/11 attacks. The real audio recordings of conversations between the terrorists and their handlers have been used,” Rathee emphasized.
He further noted the film’s use of characters based on real-life figures from Pakistan’s Lyari area, including gangsters and police officers, arguing that such grounding in reality makes “Dhurandhar” significantly more believable than other fictional spy thrillers such as “Pathaan” or the “Tiger” franchise.
The film, directed by Aditya Dhar, has become one of Bollywood’s biggest commercial successes of the year. Featuring an ensemble cast of Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt, “Dhurandhar” has accumulated an impressive box office collection of approximately ₹800 crore (roughly $96 million) worldwide in just over two weeks since its release.
Prior to publishing his video analysis, Rathee had heightened anticipation by tweeting that he would “destroy” the film, setting expectations for a particularly harsh critique. The video has since gained substantial traction online, with viewers divided in their responses.
Industry analysts note that “Dhurandhar” is part of a growing trend of nationalistic action thrillers in Indian cinema that blend real historical events with fictionalized narratives. These films often perform exceptionally well at the box office while sometimes drawing criticism for their portrayal of geopolitical tensions in the region.
The controversy highlights the ongoing debate about the responsibility of filmmakers when depicting sensitive historical events, especially those related to terrorism and international relations between India and neighboring countries.
As of publication, neither director Aditya Dhar nor any representatives from the film’s production team have issued a response to Rathee’s criticisms. The film continues to perform strongly in theaters despite the controversy, cementing its position as one of the year’s biggest commercial successes.
Rathee, who has amassed millions of followers across various social media platforms, is known for his political commentary and analysis of current events, often taking critical positions on issues related to media representation and political messaging in popular culture.
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12 Comments
The debate around ‘Dhurandhar’ highlights how films can be used to spread propaganda, even if unintentionally. Rathee raises valid points about the need to scrutinize claims of ‘based on true events’.
The debate around ‘Dhurandhar’ is a fascinating case study in the interplay between entertainment, messaging, and public discourse. I look forward to seeing how this conversation evolves.
While I may not agree with all of Rathee’s points, I respect his commitment to analyzing the potential impact of films like ‘Dhurandhar’. This is an important discussion that deserves further exploration.
Kudos to Dhruv Rathee for sparking this discussion. It’s important to be vigilant about how popular media can shape public narratives, whether inadvertently or deliberately.
I’m interested to see how this controversy around ‘Dhurandhar’ develops. Rathee’s critique seems well-reasoned, but I’m sure the filmmakers will have a different perspective to share.
I appreciate Dhruv Rathee’s willingness to call out concerning messaging in films, even if they’re commercially successful. Objective analysis is vital, especially for impactful media.
Rathee’s critique of ‘Dhurandhar’ as dangerous propaganda raises valid concerns. It’s a reminder that even well-crafted films can be used to shape public narratives in concerning ways.
Interesting take on the film ‘Dhurandhar’. I’m curious to hear Dhruv Rathee’s perspective on the propaganda aspects. It’s important to critically examine popular media, even if it’s well-made.
This controversy highlights the need for media literacy and critical thinking when consuming films and other forms of entertainment. Kudos to Rathee for sparking this important conversation.
This is a complex issue without easy answers. While artistic expression is important, we must also be mindful of the potential for films to reinforce harmful narratives, even if unintentionally.
I appreciate Dhruv Rathee’s willingness to call out problematic messaging in popular media. Healthy debate and discussion around these issues is important for a well-informed public.
Rathee raises some thought-provoking points about the dangers of well-made propaganda films. It’s a reminder that we should always approach ‘based on true events’ claims with a critical eye.