Filmmaker Rumi Jaffrey has come out strongly in defense of Ranveer Singh’s blockbuster film ‘Dhurandhar,’ dismissing claims that it serves as political propaganda. Speaking at AajTak’s Mumbai Manthan event, Jaffrey emphasized the film’s engaging narrative and entertainment value.

“‘Dhurandhar’ is not a propaganda film. I have watched it twice. It is a 3-hour film, and people generally walk out by then. But ‘Dhurandhar’ keeps people engaged,” Jaffrey stated during the media event.

The veteran filmmaker’s comments come amid mixed reception to the political undertones present in the Aditya Dhar-directed espionage thriller. While the film has received overwhelming commercial success, a section of viewers and critics have criticized its portrayal of political leadership, suggesting it paints the current government in a favorable light while depicting previous administrations as indecisive.

Despite these criticisms, ‘Dhurandhar’ has emerged as a box office phenomenon, grossing over Rs 1,200 crore worldwide. The film has claimed the title of the highest-grossing Hindi film released in a single language, with domestic collections reaching Rs 790 crore. These impressive figures demonstrate the film’s widespread appeal among Indian audiences, transcending any political controversy.

The narrative follows Ranveer Singh as an Indian intelligence operative who infiltrates terrorist networks led by Rehman Dakait in Pakistan’s Lyari Town. Akshaye Khanna delivers a compelling performance as the antagonist Dakait, while the film also features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, R Madhavan, and Sara Arjun. Supporting roles are played by Naveen Kaushik, Danish Pandor, Saumya Tandon, Gaurav Gera, and Naseem Mughal.

‘Dhurandhar’ represents a significant achievement for director Aditya Dhar, who previously gained recognition for his National Award-winning film ‘URI: The Surgical Strike.’ Dhar’s latest project has clearly resonated with audiences seeking high-octane action and patriotic storytelling.

The film’s commercial triumph comes at a time when the Indian film industry is experiencing a revival after several challenging years. ‘Dhurandhar’ joins a select group of post-pandemic releases that have managed to draw massive audiences back to theaters, signaling a robust recovery for Bollywood’s big-budget productions.

Industry analysts attribute the film’s success to its technical excellence, compelling performances, and patriotic narrative that appeals to a broad spectrum of viewers. The film’s production values and visual effects have been particularly praised for matching international standards.

The controversy surrounding the film’s political messaging reflects a broader trend in Indian cinema, where films with nationalist themes have often sparked debates about propaganda and objectivity. However, Jaffrey’s endorsement suggests that entertainment value, rather than political messaging, may be the primary driver behind the film’s popularity.

Released on December 5, 2025, ‘Dhurandhar’ continues its theatrical run with sustained audience interest. The filmmakers have already announced a sequel, scheduled for release on March 19, 2026, which will compete with Yash’s highly anticipated ‘Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups.’

The announcement of a sequel before the first film completes its theatrical run demonstrates the producers’ confidence in the franchise potential of ‘Dhurandhar.’ It also highlights the growing trend of planned film franchises in Indian cinema, mirroring Hollywood’s successful model of building cinematic universes with connected storylines.

As ‘Dhurandhar’ continues to dominate discussions in film circles, Rumi Jaffrey’s public support adds another perspective to the ongoing debate about the intersection of entertainment and political messaging in contemporary Indian cinema.