Feroz Khan’s Tribute to Sanjay Gandhi Resurfaces Amid ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Controversy

In a striking example of how film tributes can spark political debates across decades, a resurfaced video from the 1980 Bollywood film “Qurbani” has ignited fresh controversy on social media, drawing parallels to contemporary discussions about propaganda in Indian cinema.

The video, which appears in the opening credits of the late actor-director Feroz Khan’s action drama, features a heartfelt tribute to Sanjay Gandhi, son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had died in a plane crash at age 33 on June 23, 1980, shortly before the film’s release.

In the voice-over, Khan refers to Indira Gandhi as the “Iron Lady of our nation” and “Mother of our great nation,” while describing Sanjay Gandhi as the “Sleeping prince.” The clip also reveals that the filmmakers had pledged earnings from premiere shows in Bangalore and Delhi to the government in memory of the deceased politician.

The footage has gained renewed attention amid ongoing debates about filmmaker Aditya Dhar’s latest project, “Dhurandhar: The Revenge,” which some critics have accused of promoting the agenda of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), have become battlegrounds for competing interpretations of the historical tribute. One user shared the video with the comment: “Dear GenZ, This is the beginning of the 1980 Hindi movie Qurbani. You should see this. I have no further comments.”

Reactions have been polarized. Critics of the original tribute labeled it “peak level propaganda,” with one user claiming, “They called Sanjay Gandhi Prince of India. Without Jan Sangh, this would’ve ended up in NCERT text books.” Another described it simply as “propaganda before propaganda got famous.”

Others defended Khan’s tribute, with one user noting, “This is the same guy who openly insulted Pakistan while visiting there as well. That’s why I respect him.” This comment highlights the complex interplay of patriotism and politics that has long characterized Indian cinema.

Some observers contextualized the tribute within its historical moment, explaining: “This movie released 3 days before the plane crash. And it’s normal if some theatres decided to convey last tributes to a leader of his stature. At that time we didn’t have social media.”

The 1980 film “Qurbani” featured a star-studded cast including Vinod Khanna, Zeenat Aman, Amjad Khan, and Amrish Puri. Its renewed relevance comes at a time when Indian cinema is increasingly scrutinized for political messaging.

“Dhurandhar: The Revenge,” the contemporary film drawing comparisons to “Qurbani,” explores anti-terrorism themes and Indo-Pakistan tensions. The film features prominent actors Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and R Madhavan, and is co-produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios.

The controversy highlights how Indian cinema has long served as both entertainment and a platform for political expression. From the Nehruvian era’s nation-building narratives to contemporary films addressing terrorism and national security, Bollywood has consistently reflected and shaped political discourse in India.

Media scholars note that accusations of propaganda are not new to Indian cinema, though social media has amplified such debates. The resurfaced “Qurbani” tribute serves as a reminder that the intersection of entertainment and politics has deep roots in Indian film history.

As “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” continues its theatrical run following its March 19, 2026 release, the conversation about cinema’s role in political messaging seems likely to intensify, adding another chapter to the ongoing dialogue about art, entertainment, and ideology in India’s cultural landscape.