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In a candid assessment at the Delhi International Film Festival, veteran actor Piyush Mishra has weighed in on the box office sensation “Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge,” praising its cinematic merit while addressing the often blurred distinction between propaganda and art in contemporary filmmaking.
“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, emphasizing that the film’s artistic qualities elevate it beyond mere propaganda. “You cannot say that it is a propaganda film. It is a film,” the “Gulaal” actor added.
The spy thriller sequel, which stormed into theaters on March 19, has become one of this year’s most talked-about releases in the Indian film industry. Headlined by Ranveer Singh, the movie features an ensemble cast including Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, R Madhavan, Gaurav Gera, and Manav Gohil.
“Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge” follows the continuing trend of patriotic action thrillers that have dominated the Indian box office in recent years. The spy genre has seen remarkable commercial success with films like the “Tiger” franchise and “Pathaan,” signaling audience appetite for high-octane nationalism packaged as entertainment.
The film has garnered widespread acclaim from industry heavyweights across Indian cinema. South Indian superstars Rajinikanth, Allu Arjun, and Ram Charan joined Bollywood figures Alia Bhatt and Kartik Aaryan in publicly praising the action-packed thriller on social media platforms.
Filmmaker Karan Johar added his voice to the chorus of appreciation, offering a particularly nostalgic take on the film’s impact. Taking to Instagram, Johar reflected, “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.” The influential producer and director went on to express gratitude for his place in the industry, adding that “Dhurandhar reminded me of how proud and grateful I am to be here today.”
Johar’s comments underscore the film’s apparent success in tapping into the classic formula of mainstream Hindi cinema that dominated single-screen theaters decades ago. He specifically commended director Aditya Dhar’s storytelling approach and declared the lead performance to be Ranveer Singh’s career best.
The discussion around “Dhurandhar 2” touches on the ongoing debate in Indian cinema about the line between patriotic storytelling and propaganda. As nationalist themes continue to dominate commercial Hindi films, critics and industry insiders increasingly scrutinize how these narratives are presented to audiences.
Mishra’s remarks come at a time when Indian cinema is experiencing a resurgence in films with strong nationalist undertones, many of which have proven commercially successful while occasionally drawing criticism for their portrayal of geopolitical issues.
The film’s success adds to the growing body of evidence that action-oriented patriotic narratives remain a reliable formula at the Indian box office. For Ranveer Singh, whose career has seen both critical and commercial highs and lows, “Dhurandhar 2” represents a significant commercial win during a pivotal phase of his acting journey.
As “Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge” continues its theatrical run, its reception illustrates the complex interplay between entertainment, artistry, and political messaging in contemporary Indian cinema, with audiences and industry veterans alike continuing to debate where exactly that “thin line” between propaganda and cinema should be drawn.
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6 Comments
The commercial success of ‘Dhurandhar 2’ reflects the audience’s appetite for this style of patriotic action film. But Mishra is right to highlight the need to maintain artistic integrity even with politically-charged subject matter.
Interesting discussion on the line between cinema and propaganda. I’m curious to hear Piyush Mishra’s take on how films like ‘Dhurandhar 2’ balance artistic merit with patriotic messaging.
It’s good to see veteran actors like Mishra weighing in on this topic. The spy thriller genre has certainly become a popular platform for exploring issues of nationalism and national security.
You raise a fair point. These films walk a delicate line and it’s important to critically examine how they portray complex geopolitical themes.
Mishra’s assessment that ‘Dhurandhar 2’ is a film, not just propaganda, is an interesting perspective. I wonder if the film’s popularity stems more from its cinematic qualities or its nationalist messaging.
Discussions around the blurred lines of cinema and propaganda are important, especially as certain genres like the spy thriller become vehicles for nationalist narratives. Glad to see Mishra offering a nuanced take on this.