Rakesh Bedi Rejects ‘Propaganda’ Label for ‘Dhurandhar’, Criticizes Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’

Bollywood veteran Rakesh Bedi has firmly rejected accusations that his latest film “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” serves as political propaganda, emphasizing that cinema should be judged on its artistic merits rather than through ideological lenses.

“I don’t believe in politics. I believe in cinema,” Bedi stated in a recent interview with NDTV. “Everybody has the right to like or dislike a film, but I don’t think it’s right to put a film into some kind of category, whether it’s pro-establishment or anti-establishment.”

The film has become a flashpoint in India’s increasingly polarized cultural discourse, with strong box office performance contrasting sharply with criticism from certain segments of the audience who have labeled it propaganda. The controversy highlights the growing tendency in Indian cinema for films to become embroiled in political debates beyond their artistic content.

Despite the online backlash, “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” continues to perform exceptionally well commercially, suggesting a disconnect between social media criticism and general audience reception. Bedi points to this commercial success as evidence that viewers are connecting with the film’s storytelling rather than any perceived political messaging.

The actor attributed the film’s popularity to its innovative storytelling approach and unprecedented scale. “People haven’t seen this scale before,” Bedi remarked, suggesting that technical execution and narrative quality are driving ticket sales rather than ideological alignment.

In comments that appeared to reference Kangana Ranaut’s recent biographical drama “Emergency,” Bedi drew comparisons between “Dhurandhar” and recent political biopics. Without naming specific films, he suggested that overtly political productions about figures like Indira Gandhi and Narendra Modi failed to maintain audience interest beyond initial curiosity.

This comparison raised eyebrows in industry circles as “Emergency,” which featured Ranaut portraying former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the controversial 1975-77 period of emergency rule, reportedly generated only ₹18.40 crore worldwide despite significant pre-release publicity.

The controversy surrounding “Dhurandhar” reflects broader tensions within Indian cinema as filmmakers navigate an increasingly politicized cultural landscape. In recent years, Bollywood productions have frequently faced scrutiny over their perceived political leanings, with social media amplifying accusations from various ideological camps.

Film industry analysts note that the “propaganda” label has become increasingly common in Indian film discourse, often wielded by critics across the political spectrum against productions they perceive as advancing opposing viewpoints. This environment has created challenges for filmmakers attempting to tackle historical or contemporary political themes.

Despite these controversies, audience behavior suggests that entertainment value remains paramount for most moviegoers. “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” appears to be benefiting from this phenomenon, with strong word-of-mouth recommendations overriding online criticism.

The film’s commercial success amid controversy may encourage other filmmakers to pursue ambitious projects despite potential political backlash, potentially shifting the industry’s approach to contentious subject matter.

As the debate continues, Bedi’s stance highlights the traditional view that cinema’s primary purpose remains entertainment rather than political persuasion—a perspective that appears to be resonating with audiences even as critical discourse becomes increasingly politicized.

Whether “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” will ultimately be remembered for its artistic merits or its role in India’s cultural debates remains to be seen, but its commercial performance suggests that audiences are still capable of separating their entertainment choices from political considerations.