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In a robust defense of one of Bollywood’s current blockbusters, veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan has dismissed criticism labeling Aditya Dhar’s “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” as propaganda, insisting the film simply presents truth to audiences.
The film, which has amassed over ₹1,200 crore worldwide and more than ₹770 crore net in India, continues its exceptional box office performance despite facing criticism from some quarters. Priyadarshan’s comments come amid a growing debate about the messaging in recent successful Indian films with nationalist themes.
“There’s nothing like propaganda. You are just bringing the truth in front of the people,” Priyadarshan stated during an interview with Siddharth Kannan. “When the whole of India has accepted it, then why do some people’s opinions matter? India has watched and accepted it. There are no bigger hits.”
The filmmaker further questioned the validity of the criticism by adding, “Do you think those people who have watched the film are fools? It’s people’s opinion, leave it with them. Don’t confront it. Forget it.”
Priyadarshan shares a personal connection with Dhar, who began his career as an assistant director under his guidance. During the interview, he recalled how Dhar had once approached him after experiencing setbacks in the industry, including instances where his scripts were allegedly used without proper credit.
“He was very disheartened, but he never told me until he started working for me,” Priyadarshan revealed. “When we were sitting together in the evenings, he told me how disheartened he had become and how he had decided to come into filmmaking.”
Expressing pride in Dhar’s current success, he added, “When your children and disciples come up in life, that’s the best joy you can ever have. So I feel very good to hear what Aditya has achieved.”
The controversy surrounding “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” intensified recently when acclaimed filmmaker Vetrimaaran criticized what he termed “hate propaganda” films, leading many to speculate he was referring to Dhar’s work. This debate reflects broader tensions in Indian cinema regarding the portrayal of nationalist narratives and geopolitical issues.
“Dhurandhar: The Revenge,” directed by Aditya Dhar, stars Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy who infiltrates underworld gangs in Lyari as part of a mission to dismantle a terror network in Pakistan. The film also features prominent actors Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, and Rakesh Bedi in key roles.
The box office success of the film indicates strong audience reception despite the controversy, continuing the trend of nationalist-themed films performing well with Indian audiences in recent years. Industry analysts note this pattern follows several other commercially successful films with similar thematic elements that have resonated strongly with viewers across the country.
Meanwhile, Priyadarshan is preparing for his own upcoming releases. His horror-comedy “Bhooth Bangla,” starring Akshay Kumar alongside Paresh Rawal, Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, and Wamiqa Gabbi, is scheduled to hit theaters on April 10. The film, produced by industry veterans Ektaa Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, marks another collaboration between Priyadarshan and Kumar, a partnership that has previously delivered several commercial hits.
Additionally, Priyadarshan has “Haiwaan” in development, which will bring together Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, two of Bollywood’s most established actors. Industry observers are watching with interest to see if Priyadarshan’s forthcoming projects will generate the same level of discussion and commercial success as “Dhurandhar: The Revenge.”
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7 Comments
Interesting debate around the messaging in this hit film. I appreciate Priyadarshan’s defense of the director’s artistic vision and the film’s commercial success. While reasonable people may disagree on political themes, dismissing the audience as ‘fools’ seems unhelpful.
You make a fair point. Regardless of one’s views, the box office numbers suggest the film resonated with many viewers. Healthy debate is good, but insulting the audience is not constructive.
The box office success of ‘Dhurandhar 2’ is certainly impressive, but that alone doesn’t negate concerns about potential nationalist messaging. I appreciate Priyadarshan’s defense, but hope the filmmakers engage thoughtfully with the critiques rather than simply brushing them off.
This is a complex issue without easy answers. I’m curious to learn more about the specific criticisms of ‘propaganda’ and how the filmmakers have responded. Audiences should be able to make up their own minds about the messaging.
I agree, the ‘propaganda’ allegations warrant closer examination. Dismissing valid concerns as irrelevant is unlikely to resolve the debate. An open and nuanced discussion would be more productive.
While I respect Priyadarshan’s perspective, I’m not convinced that high box office numbers automatically validate the film’s content. Thoughtful analysis of the messaging and its potential impacts is warranted, even for commercially successful works. Dismissing all criticism as irrelevant seems short-sighted.
This is a nuanced issue without easy answers. I can understand both the filmmaker’s desire to tell their story and the audience’s interest, as well as concerns about potential nationalist propaganda. An open and balanced discussion that considers multiple viewpoints would be constructive.