Film Director Sanjay Gupta Sparks Controversy Over Dhurandhar Tweet

Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta found himself at the center of a social media storm after sharing his review of Ranveer Singh’s latest film “Dhurandhar.” What began as praise for the spy thriller quickly turned into a contentious debate when one phrase in his post triggered widespread backlash from viewers.

On Saturday, Gupta took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his admiration for the Aditya Dhar-directed film, writing: “I finally watched #DHURANDHAR and thoroughly enjoyed it. For me it was a ONE MAN SHOW all the way and that man is @AdityaDharFilms. I’m not interested in all the propaganda bulls**t. I had super fun watching it in IMAX especially the music. WELL DONE & CONGRATULATIONS to the entire team.”

The controversial element emerged from Gupta’s casual mention of “propaganda,” which many interpreted as an acknowledgment that the film contained political messaging. The ambiguity in his wording led numerous social media users to criticize the director, forcing him to issue a clarification.

“I can’t believe the whole lot of id**ts abusing me for this tweet about #Dhurandhar,” Gupta responded as the criticism mounted. “What I mean is that I don’t think there is any propaganda in the film. Get a life guys.”

The incident highlights the increasingly charged atmosphere surrounding Indian films that touch on geopolitical themes, particularly those involving India-Pakistan relations. “Dhurandhar” follows the story of Hamza, an Indian spy who infiltrates Pakistan and joins Rehman Dakait’s gang. The narrative draws inspiration from real historical events, including the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, commonly known as 26/11.

This is not the first time a Bollywood film focusing on cross-border tensions has generated heated discussions. In recent years, several Indian films with nationalist themes have faced scrutiny over perceived political messaging, with audiences divided on whether such content represents authentic storytelling or state-aligned propaganda.

Despite the controversy, “Dhurandhar” has emerged as a major commercial success. The film, which features an ensemble cast including Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan alongside lead actor Ranveer Singh, has already crossed the ₹290 crore mark at the Indian box office according to tracking site Sacnilk.com.

Director Aditya Dhar, previously known for the National Award-winning film “Uri: The Surgical Strike,” has been widely praised for his handling of the espionage thriller genre. The positive commercial reception has already prompted the announcement of a sequel, with the second installment of “Dhurandhar” scheduled for theatrical release on March 19 next year.

The controversy surrounding Gupta’s comments reflects the polarized nature of online discourse in India, where films touching on national security and cross-border relations often become lightning rods for debate. Industry observers note that the line between patriotic storytelling and propaganda has become increasingly blurred in recent years, with audiences bringing their own political perspectives to their viewing experiences.

As “Dhurandhar” continues its successful theatrical run, this incident serves as a reminder of how easily entertainment and politics intersect in contemporary Indian cinema, and how a single word in a social media post can ignite widespread controversy.