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Indian Spy Thriller “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” Ignites Box Office and Political Controversy
The sequel to Bollywood’s highest-grossing Hindi film has arrived with explosive box office numbers and equally explosive political controversies. Aditya Dhar’s “Dhurandhar: The Revenge,” released on March 19, 2026, has quickly become one of the biggest openings in Indian cinema history, strategically timed to coincide with multiple cultural celebrations including Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, and Eid al-Fitr.
The Hindi-language spy action thriller, starring Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and R. Madhavan, continues the story of an undercover Indian intelligence agent infiltrating Karachi’s criminal syndicates and Pakistani politics while avenging the 26/11 attacks. As the final installment of the duology, it has generated passionate responses from audiences and critics alike.
Critical reception has been notably divided along political lines. Supporters praise the film’s engaging storytelling and intense action sequences. Divya Nair of rediff.com awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, calling it “an engaging, twist-filled entertainer with layered storytelling and strong impact, despite its politics, gore, and inconsistencies.” Lachmi Deb Roy of Firstpost rated it 3.5/5, highlighting its “witty, emotional, and razor sharp” dialogues.
However, detractors have condemned what they see as blatant propaganda. Agnivo Niyogi of The Telegraph criticized the film for containing “more gore, more violence and brazen propaganda” while lacking the “finesse” of its predecessor. Nandini Ramnath of Scroll noted that the film meshes “seamlessly with pro-government propaganda.”
The most contentious aspect centers on the film’s use of actual footage featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The inclusion of Modi’s 2014 swearing-in ceremony and his 2016 demonetization address has sparked fervent debate. While supporters view these elements as historical context, critics see them as overt political messaging that transforms entertainment into government propaganda.
India’s Congress party has been particularly vocal in its criticism. Party spokesperson Hussain Dalwai condemned the film’s alleged divisive elements, urging Muslims not to watch it. “Atiq Ahmed ko in logon ne Parliament mein tribute diya tha… He has been portrayed as a Muslim gangster having connections with Pakistan,” Dalwai stated.
Defending the film, former Jammu and Kashmir DGP S.P. Vaid countered: “The truth is harsh. Atiq Ahmed was a gangster. The whole world knows that he received illegal weapons, and his links with Pakistan are known to the world. What has been shown is based on the truth.”
“Dhurandhar: The Revenge” follows a pattern of nationalist-themed blockbusters that have emerged since Modi took office in 2014. Other examples include “The Kashmir Files,” “The Kerala Story,” and Dhar’s previous films “Uri: The Surgical Strike” and “Article 370.” This trend coincides with heightened tensions between Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan, nuclear-armed neighbors that experienced their worst conflict in decades last May.
The original “Dhurandhar” topped Netflix’s chart for non-English films after its January 2026 streaming release—notably even in Pakistan, where officials criticized it as Indian propaganda and formally banned it. Despite the ban, the film has reportedly been widely pirated throughout Pakistan.
The Sindh government in Pakistan announced support for what has been described as a rebuttal film to “Dhurandhar,” which they explicitly called “Indian propaganda.” This response underscores the film’s significance beyond mere entertainment, positioning it within the broader geopolitical tensions between the neighboring nations.
Critics of the film have faced significant backlash. Indian movie critic Sucharita Tyagi described experiencing unprecedented harassment over her review: “To see how many people refused to engage with a point of view that was not aligned with theirs was illuminating. It got so overwhelming that on Instagram and YouTube, I had to turn off the comments. And I’ve never had to do that before.”
Tyagi expressed concern that nationalist films like “Dhurandhar” risk encouraging a charged form of patriotism that deepens hostility between India and Pakistan. Some analysts have noted the film’s portrayal of Pakistani and Muslim characters lacks the humanization afforded to Indian victims, potentially inflaming religious and national tensions.
As “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” continues its theatrical run, it represents a significant moment in Indian cinema—a technically accomplished blockbuster that openly blurs the line between entertainment and political messaging, challenging audiences to separate artistry from agenda in an increasingly polarized media landscape.
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15 Comments
I’m always cautious about films that seem to have a heavy-handed political agenda, but the technical merits of this spy thriller sound intriguing. I’ll have to check it out and decide for myself how well the filmmakers balanced the entertainment and the messaging.
That’s a wise approach. It’s important to form your own opinion on a film’s merits, rather than relying solely on the political controversies surrounding it.
I’m a big fan of spy thrillers, so I’m eager to check out this film despite the political controversy. The technical merits sound promising, and I’m always up for an engaging action-packed story, even if the politics are a bit heavy-handed.
As someone interested in the mining and commodities industry, I’m curious to see how this film portrays the geopolitical dynamics involved. While the political messaging may be divisive, the technical aspects and action sequences could still make for an engaging watch.
As someone with an interest in mining and commodities, I’m curious to see how this film portrays the geopolitical tensions and power dynamics in the region. The technical aspects sound impressive, but I’ll be cautious about the political messaging.
That’s a good point. Depictions of geopolitics and power struggles can be a sensitive topic, especially when dealing with real-world events. It will be interesting to see how the filmmakers navigate that landscape.
The 26/11 attacks were a devastating event, so I appreciate that the filmmakers are trying to explore the aftermath and impact. However, I hope they handle the subject matter with nuance and sensitivity, rather than using it as a platform for overt propaganda.
The 26/11 attacks were a tragic event, so it makes sense that a film exploring the aftermath would generate strong reactions. I hope the filmmakers were able to handle the sensitive subject matter with nuance and respect, even if their political views come through.
That’s a good point. Tackling real-world tragedies in a fictional narrative can be tricky. Striking the right balance between entertainment and sensitivity is crucial.
I’m a fan of intense, action-packed spy thrillers, but I’m wary of films that seem to have a heavy-handed political agenda. The technical merits of this movie sound promising, but I’ll have to judge for myself how well the filmmakers balance the entertainment and the messaging.
It’s interesting to see how political messages can shape the reception of a film, even one that’s primarily an action/adventure story. I wonder if the filmmakers intended to make a nuanced commentary or a more overt propaganda piece.
That’s a good point. The line between political messaging and pure entertainment can be very blurry, especially in the current climate. It will be interesting to see how audiences respond to the balance struck in this film.
Wow, this spy thriller sounds intense! The political messaging is always a tricky balance in these types of films. I’m curious to see if the technical merits can still shine through despite the controversy.
I agree, the technical aspects are often what make these kinds of movies engaging. Even if the politics are divisive, strong storytelling and action sequences can still entertain.
As an action movie fan, I’m intrigued by the high-octane spy thriller elements. But I’m wary of films that get too preachy with their political agendas. Hopefully the filmmakers found a way to keep the focus on the thrills.