Priyadarshan Defends ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Against Propaganda Accusations

India’s latest blockbuster “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” continues to dominate the box office while simultaneously sparking heated debate across the film industry. Veteran director Priyadarshan has stepped forward to defend the film against allegations of being “propaganda,” insisting the movie simply presents truth to audiences.

In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Priyadarshan offered strong support for the film’s director, Aditya Dhar, highlighting both his professional journey and the film’s widespread audience acceptance. “There’s nothing like propaganda. You are just bringing the truth in front of the people,” Priyadarshan stated firmly. “When the whole of India has accepted it, then why do some people’s opinions matter?”

The veteran filmmaker reflected on Dhar’s challenging path to success in the industry. According to Priyadarshan, Dhar faced significant setbacks early in his career, including having his scripts 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…he told me how disheartened he had become and how he had decided to come into filmmaking.”

Priyadarshan expressed particular pride in Dhar’s accomplishments, describing the satisfaction of seeing protégés succeed: “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 after acclaimed filmmaker Vetrimaaran publicly criticized what he termed “hate propaganda” films, in what many industry observers interpreted as a thinly veiled reference to Dhar’s film. Despite these criticisms, Priyadarshan remained resolute in his defense, questioning critics by asking, “Do you think those people who have watched the film are fools?”

“Dhurandhar: The Revenge” stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role, with a supporting cast that includes established industry names such as Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, and Rakesh Bedi. The action thriller is set against the backdrop of Karachi’s Lyari district and follows an Indian spy who infiltrates the criminal underworld to dismantle a terrorist network.

The film has emerged as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time, reportedly surpassing ₹1,200 crore (approximately $145 million) at the worldwide box office. Its commercial success has continued unabated despite the surrounding controversies, with strong theater performances continuing weeks after its initial release.

The debate around “Dhurandhar” highlights the increasingly politicized nature of Indian cinema, where films with nationalistic themes often become lightning rods for broader cultural and political discussions. This particular film has become emblematic of the tension between commercial success and critical reception, particularly when dealing with sensitive geopolitical narratives.

Industry analysts note that the film’s enormous commercial success, regardless of critical opinion, demonstrates the significant appetite among Indian audiences for stories that blend action, patriotism, and espionage. The continuing box office performance suggests that despite—or perhaps because of—the controversy, “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” has successfully tapped into current audience preferences and nationalist sentiment.

As the film continues its theatrical run, the discourse around its content and message is likely to remain a topic of debate within India’s entertainment industry and beyond.