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In a recent press engagement at the Delhi International Film Festival, veteran actor Piyush Mishra offered his candid assessment of the blockbuster spy thriller “Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge,” highlighting what he believes separates genuine cinema from mere propaganda.
Mishra, known for his nuanced performances in films like “Gulaal,” praised the Ranveer Singh-starrer for its exceptional screenplay. “There is a thin line between propaganda and cinema, like Dhurandhar. I liked Dhurandhar a lot. There is a great screenplay in it. It is cinema actually,” Mishra told reporters, firmly positioning the film as authentic artistic expression rather than political messaging.
Released on March 19, “Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge” has dominated the box office since its premiere. The sequel continues the espionage narrative established in the original “Dhurandhar” film, featuring an ensemble cast that includes Ranveer Singh in the lead role alongside Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, R Madhavan, Gaurav Gera, and Manav Gohil.
The film’s commercial success has been matched by widespread acclaim from industry insiders. Several prominent figures in Indian cinema have publicly voiced their appreciation for the spy action thriller, using their substantial social media platforms to endorse the film.
South Indian cinema icon Rajinikanth joined a chorus of praise that included laudatory comments from Telugu film stars Allu Arjun and Ram Charan. Bollywood luminaries Alia Bhatt and Kartik Aaryan similarly expressed their admiration for the project, contributing to its growing industry reputation.
In a particularly nostalgic endorsement, influential filmmaker Karan Johar shared that “Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge” evoked memories of classic Hindi cinema from the 1970s. Taking to Instagram, Johar wrote: “I went back to the days I watched pure solid Hindi cinema in single screens in the 70s… and came out satiated and dreamt of being a part of this business… today I am a part of the fraternity and Dhurandhar reminded me of how proud and grateful I am to be here today.”
Johar’s praise extended beyond the film itself to its creative team, specifically highlighting director Aditya Dhar’s storytelling capabilities. The filmmaker also described Ranveer Singh’s performance as the actor’s finest work to date, adding significant industry weight to the growing consensus around the film’s quality.
The success of “Dhurandhar 2” continues a recent trend in Indian cinema where action-packed spy thrillers with nationalist themes have found substantial audience support. This genre has emerged as a reliable commercial formula in the post-pandemic box office landscape, with several major studios investing heavily in similar projects.
For Ranveer Singh, the film represents another commercial triumph following several successful collaborations with prominent directors. Singh’s ability to balance mass entertainers with more critically acclaimed projects has established him as one of the industry’s most versatile leading men.
Director Aditya Dhar, who previously helmed the National Award-winning “Uri: The Surgical Strike,” further cements his reputation for crafting technically accomplished action films with strong emotional cores. The production, backed by Jio Studios, demonstrates the growing influence of corporate-backed entertainment ventures in the Indian film industry.
As “Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge” continues its theatrical run, industry analysts will be watching closely to see if it can sustain momentum and potentially spawn additional sequels, establishing itself as a major franchise in Indian cinema.
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10 Comments
This is a timely discussion given the growing concerns about the blurring of lines between entertainment and political messaging in India and globally. Mishra’s perspective as an industry veteran adds valuable nuance.
Absolutely. It’s crucial that we have these kinds of open dialogues to better understand the complexities involved in creating films that resonate without crossing ethical boundaries.
I haven’t seen Dhurandhar 2 yet, but this praise from Piyush Mishra has me intrigued. He’s such a respected actor, so his endorsement of the film’s screenplay carries a lot of weight.
Agreed, Mishra’s assessment is worth noting. It will be interesting to see how audiences and critics respond to the film’s handling of the propaganda vs. cinema debate.
Kudos to the Dhurandhar 2 team for crafting an engaging spy thriller that avoids heavy-handed propaganda, according to Piyush Mishra. In today’s polarized media landscape, that’s no small feat.
Interesting discussion on the line between cinema and propaganda. As an avid moviegoer, I’m always curious to hear different perspectives on how filmmakers balance artistic expression and political messaging.
It’s a delicate balance, but it sounds like Dhurandhar 2 managed to tell a compelling espionage story without veering into pure propaganda. Good to see that nuance being recognized.
The success of Dhurandhar 2 and Mishra’s comments highlight the continued public appetite for well-crafted, thought-provoking spy thrillers. It will be worth monitoring how the film is received and discussed in the coming weeks.
Agreed. The line between cinema and propaganda is an important issue to grapple with, and Mishra’s perspective provides a nuanced starting point for further discussion.
Interesting to hear Piyush Mishra’s take on the Dhurandhar 2 film. As someone with a keen eye for cinematic quality, his assessment of the screenplay as genuine cinema rather than propaganda carries weight.