Filmmaker Vetrimaaran Takes Aim at “Hate Propaganda” Films Amid Box Office Success of Dhurandhar

Acclaimed filmmaker Vetrimaaran has sparked controversy during the trailer launch of “Neelira,” a film based on events from the Sri Lankan civil war, with comments that many interpret as criticism of Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh’s blockbuster “Dhurandhar” franchise.

During his speech, Vetrimaaran emphasized the importance of authentic storytelling, stating, “Until we tell our stories, our life is what our enemies say they are. We do not have the democracy to tell our own stories.” He praised the “Neelira” team for tackling such sensitive subject matter and specifically acknowledged Rana Daggubati for backing the project despite hailing from the Telugu states.

The director made a clear distinction between “Neelira” and other contemporary films, declaring, “This film does not talk about hate. This film does not advocate violence. This is not a propaganda film; it is to uphold an ideology.” He then pointedly referenced unnamed productions, adding, “There are many films that cost millions of rupees, wishing to earn hundreds of crores with violence or hatred. This film does not want to sell hate, caricature a race, a community, or a religious sect.”

In a moment that raised eyebrows, Vetrimaaran asked the “Neelira” team if their film had received certification without being referred to the CBFC revising committee. After receiving confirmation, he continued his commentary on propaganda in cinema: “Today, everything is turning into propaganda, and propaganda has the power to influence memory. Memory is so fickle because we all know who was the most affected by demonetization and how many lives were lost when people stood in lines. But we can easily change its impact.”

The timing of these remarks is particularly noteworthy as Vijay’s film “Jana Nayagan” has been delayed since January while awaiting CBFC certification after being sent to the revising committee.

Social media users quickly connected Vetrimaaran’s comments to the “Dhurandhar” franchise. One X (formerly Twitter) user explicitly stated, “#Vetrimaaran indirectly attacks #Dhurandhar2,” while sharing a clip from the event. Responses to this interpretation have been divided, with some supporters of “Dhurandhar” suggesting Vetrimaaran should “make movies as intense as Dhurandhar” to win audiences.

Critics of Vetrimaaran’s stance questioned whether his own work could be considered free of propaganda elements. One user commented on his film “Viduthalai 2,” asking, “So, how exactly is Viduthalai 2 not propaganda when the train is blown up killing innocents?” Another observed, “Yes and what he does is not propaganda? Every film has some propaganda, at least Dhurandhar wasn’t boring.”

The “Dhurandhar” franchise has been a phenomenal commercial success, with the original film releasing in December and its sequel, “Dhurandhar: The Revenge,” premiering on March 19. Collectively, the films have generated over ₹2,447 crore worldwide, cementing their status as major box office triumphs.

Industry observers note that Vetrimaaran’s apparent reference to “Dhurandhar” may stem from a controversial plot point in the sequel that suggests India’s 2016 demonetization initiative was implemented to combat terrorism and counterfeit currency operations—a narrative that aligns with certain political viewpoints.

This public disagreement highlights the ongoing tension in Indian cinema between commercial success and social responsibility, particularly when films touch on sensitive political or historical topics. As the Indian film industry continues to produce content that intersects with national politics and historical events, debates about propaganda, artistic intent, and factual representation are likely to intensify.