Listen to the article
Anupam Kher Celebrates ‘Dhurandhar’ Success, Defends Film Against Propaganda Claims
Veteran actor Anupam Kher has publicly expressed his admiration for Aditya Dhar’s blockbuster film “Dhurandhar,” describing it as “an important film” despite having no direct involvement in the project. The actor shared his thoughts through a heartfelt video posted to his Instagram account on Friday.
“Dhurandhar,” which stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role alongside an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, R Madhavan, and Rakesh Bedi, has become a commercial juggernaut since its December 5 release. The film has already surpassed the Rs 1000 crore mark in worldwide box office collections, cementing its status as one of the year’s biggest hits.
In his Instagram post, Kher wrote, “Heartfelt to express the happiness of ‘Dhurandhar’s’ success in a speechless way! So made this video! Although I have nothing to do with this film directly! But why ‘Dhurandhar’ is a very important film and passion. How this film has inspired me to do a good job! Many many congratulations and best wishes to Aditya Dhar and your entire team.”
The film, produced by Dhar and his brother Lokesh through their B62 Studios banner, alongside Jyoti Deshpande of Jio Studios, presents an underworld saga that explores the intersecting lives of criminals, informants, and operatives navigating covert operations, espionage, and betrayals.
In his video message, Kher emphasized his emotional connection to the film’s success despite having no official association with it. “I don’t have a role in this film. I am not connected to anything. But I don’t know why, with the success of this film, my heart is very peaceful. And I have felt peace and pride. I have felt pride. His great success,” Kher said.
The actor also mentioned receiving praise from international viewers, adding, “People are calling me from abroad. I have nothing to do with them — that you have seen ‘Dhurandhar’, you have done a great job.”
Kher took a firm stance against critics who labeled “Dhurandhar” as propaganda, directly addressing the controversy that has surrounded the film in some circles. “There was a clique of people who were behind proving propaganda to the film,” he stated. “This is the same clique who tried to prove propaganda in my film The Accidental Prime Minister, and they were successful in doing that. The same people tried to prove propaganda in The Kashmir Files, and they were succeeded by 30%. That’s because they started a debate. Dhurandhar is a big slap on such people’s faces.”
This statement from Kher highlights the ongoing debate in Indian cinema about politically charged content and the thin line between patriotic storytelling and propaganda, a conversation that has intensified in recent years with the release of several nationalistic films.
The controversy hasn’t dampened enthusiasm for the franchise, however. Following the film’s commercial success, the makers have already announced a sequel, with “Dhurandhar 2” scheduled for theatrical release on March 19 next year.
The film’s success comes at a time when Bollywood has been struggling to deliver consistent box office hits, making “Dhurandhar” a significant milestone for the industry. Its commercial performance also demonstrates the continued audience appetite for high-stakes action thrillers with nationalist themes, a genre that has proven increasingly popular with Indian moviegoers in recent years.
With its star-studded cast and compelling narrative, “Dhurandhar” has clearly struck a chord with audiences, regardless of the debate surrounding its messaging and themes.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
8 Comments
Reaching the 1000 crore mark is a remarkable achievement, regardless of any debates around the film’s content. Blockbuster status is always noteworthy, even if the artistic quality is debatable. It will be intriguing to see how ‘Dhurandhar’ is viewed and discussed in the long run.
The claims of ‘Dhurandhar’ being an ‘important film’ are questionable. Achieving box office glory does not automatically equate to artistic or sociopolitical significance. A closer examination of the film’s themes and execution would be needed to justify such lofty assertions.
Agreed. Commercial success and critical acclaim are not always aligned. It will be interesting to see how film scholars and cultural commentators assess the merits and shortcomings of ‘Dhurandhar’ in the long run.
Anupam Kher’s effusive praise for ‘Dhurandhar’ raises some questions. While the film’s commercial success is noteworthy, its cultural impact and artistic merit warrant a more critical analysis beyond just box office numbers.
While Kher’s praise seems rather effusive, the commercial success of ‘Dhurandhar’ is undeniable. As a major Bollywood production, it will undoubtedly shape narratives and influence public discourse, for better or worse. A more balanced critical analysis would be helpful to understand the film’s true cultural impact.
The sheer scale of ‘Dhurandhar’s’ box office performance is undoubtedly impressive. However, the film’s artistic and thematic value remains to be seen. Kher’s glowing endorsement seems more like promotion than a nuanced evaluation.
Interesting to see Anupam Kher’s perspective on the success of ‘Dhurandhar.’ As a veteran actor, his endorsement carries weight. The film’s box office performance is certainly impressive, though the claims of it being an ‘important’ work seem a bit hyperbolic.
You raise a fair point. Kher’s comments come across as rather promotional. It would be good to hear more nuanced views on the artistic merits and sociopolitical implications of the film.