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In a fiery industry clash, filmmaker Aditya Dhar has responded to criticisms of his box office success “Dhurandhar,” particularly appearing to target popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee who labeled the film as “propaganda.”
Dhar took to Instagram to share a pointed message, reposting a story that celebrated the film’s commercial triumph while dismissing detractors. Without naming Rathee directly, the reposted caption referenced “a video maker” who “tried to criticise it recently & got swept away by a wave of criticism against him.”
“History is being rewritten in Indian cinema. By men & women who have fire in their hearts & love for their country,” read the post shared by Dhar. The message emphasized the “organic” nature of the film’s success, challenging claims about “corporate bookings” that critics had suggested artificially inflated the movie’s performance.
The controversy emerges as “Dhurandhar” continues its remarkable box office run, having accumulated over ₹590 crore in domestic earnings since its December 5, 2025 release. The film features an ensemble cast of Bollywood stars including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Arjun Rampal.
Industry observers note this public spat highlights the increasingly polarized reception of films dealing with nationalistic themes in India’s entertainment landscape. The film’s commercial success amid controversy follows a pattern seen with other patriotic blockbusters that have generated both fervent support and intense criticism.
“Dhurandhar is a craze today. A tsunami which will sweep away any other release in its path. A tsunami which will roll into 2026. It is not going to stop soon,” continued the reposted message, suggesting the film’s cultural impact extends beyond mere box office figures.
The filmmaker’s post also highlighted the collaborative effort behind the movie’s success, crediting the “team of actors & technicians. All united in vision & approach, positive in thought, passionate about storytelling, and immense confidence in this director’s work.”
This public exchange between a filmmaker and social media critic represents the evolving dynamic between traditional cinema and digital content creators whose commentary can reach millions of viewers. Rathee, known for his political commentary and analysis videos on YouTube, has previously critiqued other films and public figures, often generating substantial debate.
The dispute also underscores the commercial stakes involved. With “Dhurandhar” already confirmed for a sequel scheduled for release on March 19, 2026, the franchise’s financial trajectory could potentially be influenced by public perception and online discourse.
Film trade analysts suggest the controversy might actually benefit the movie’s performance, as the additional publicity drives curiosity among potential viewers. Similar patterns have been observed with other controversial releases that converted public debate into box office momentum.
For Dhar, who rose to prominence with his directorial work, this represents a bold defense of his creative vision against accusations of propaganda. His passionate response reflects the personal investment filmmakers often have in projects that face ideological criticism.
As “Dhurandhar” continues its theatrical run, the incident highlights the complex relationship between commercial Indian cinema, political narratives, and the growing influence of digital commentators in shaping public discourse around entertainment products in the world’s largest democracy.
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11 Comments
The box office success is certainly noteworthy, but I’m more interested in whether the film actually delivers compelling storytelling and characters beyond just the patriotic messaging.
This appears to be a patriotic film that’s stirring up some controversy. I’d be interested to watch it and form my own opinion on the messaging and artistic merits.
Agreed, it’s best to reserve judgment until we can assess the film ourselves. Healthy debate around cultural narratives is important.
Kudos to the director for standing up for his work. Dismissing critics as being ‘swept away’ is a bold move. I’m curious to see how this story evolves as more people weigh in.
Interesting industry clash over this film. Curious to hear both sides and see how the box office performance holds up over time. Seems like a complex issue worth exploring further.
Impressive box office numbers for this film. I wonder what factors contributed to its commercial success beyond just the patriotic themes. Curious to learn more about the production and marketing.
This seems like an ideologically-charged issue. I appreciate the director’s passion, but hope the discussion can stay focused on the artistic merits rather than getting too political.
Well said. Separating the art from the politics is important, even for films with overt nationalist themes. Looking forward to impartial analysis of the film itself.
Rewriting history through cinema is a bold claim. I’m curious to understand the specific historical narratives the film is aiming to reshape, and how accurately it portrays those events.
Filmmakers responding directly to critics is always fascinating. Glad to see the director defending the organic success of the film. Looking forward to hearing more perspectives on this.
Interesting to see the director directly addressing criticism. Seems like there may be some ideological divides at play here. I’ll reserve judgment until I can assess the film objectively.