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Film Community Divided Over “Dhurandhar” as Shatrughan Sinha Offers Enthusiastic Endorsement
Despite polarizing audience reactions, the controversial film “Dhurandhar” has emerged as Indian cinema’s highest-grossing release, with anticipation building for its upcoming sequel. The debate around the film has now drawn veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha into the conversation, who recently shared his unequivocal praise for the production.
Sinha took to social media platform X to dismiss criticisms of the film as propaganda, writing, “Wow! Just happened to see the most talked about film, an absolute masterpiece ‘Dhurandhar’. What ‘propaganda’ film??? A film is a film is a film.”
The seasoned actor elaborated on what he considers the film’s technical achievements, highlighting the realistic recreation of Pakistan through sets constructed in Bangkok, Thailand. “It’s a great film, gripping, interesting and full of entertainment, made with sincerity,” Sinha noted, specifically praising the cinematography and editing.
In his extensive review, Sinha offered compliments to the film’s ensemble cast. He described Ranveer Singh’s performance as “outstanding” while characterizing Sanjay Dutt as “brilliant.” Special recognition was given to Akshaye Khanna, son of legendary actor Vinod Khanna, with Sinha stating that he “now creates his own identity by portraying an extraordinary role and leaves an extremely lasting impression with his flawless performance.”
The veteran actor also spotlighted supporting performances, particularly that of Rakesh Bedi, whom Sinha described as “the icing on the cake” for delivering “a wonderful and amazing role with a fine balancing act which only he could have done.” He additionally praised actress Saumya Tandon for standing out in her cameo appearance.
Beyond performances, Sinha recognized the film’s musical contributions, singling out tracks “Shararat” and “Ishq Jalakar–Karvaan” as “euphoric” and “foot tapping with great repeat value.”
Much of the film’s success, according to Sinha, can be attributed to director Aditya Dhar, whom he labeled a “role model” in cinema and “most sought after, successful filmmaker.” His final assessment declared the project “an unforgettable cinematic treat/masterstroke.”
Following Sinha’s endorsement, Saumya Tandon responded with gratitude. “Thank you, Sir. Your kind words truly mean a lot to me. I’m so grateful that you noticed and appreciated my work,” she wrote, adding a personal note about their previous meeting during a 2018 television program she hosted.
The enthusiastic review comes at a time when “Dhurandhar” continues to generate discussion across India’s film community, with some viewers embracing the film while others criticize it for allegedly pushing political narratives.
Industry analysts note that such polarizing reception often drives audience curiosity, potentially contributing to the film’s record-breaking financial performance. The commercial success has fast-tracked production of its sequel, “Dhurandhar: The Revenge,” scheduled for release on March 19.
The follow-up will continue the narrative arcs of characters portrayed by Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R Madhavan, while bringing closure to Akshaye Khanna’s character, Rehman Dakait.
As the release date approaches, the film’s marketing team appears to be leveraging the original’s success and controversy to build anticipation, with industry watchers predicting another strong box office performance despite the ongoing debate about the film’s messaging and content.
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12 Comments
Interesting take from Shatrughan Sinha on the film ‘Dhurandhar.’ He seems to genuinely appreciate the technical aspects and performances, regardless of the controversy. It’s good to see veteran actors weigh in with their honest assessments.
I agree, it’s refreshing when established figures in the industry share their unbiased views on films, beyond just the polarizing political narratives.
Sinha’s comments highlight how the discussion around ‘Dhurandhar’ has become overly polarized. His focus on the film’s craftsmanship is a welcome reminder to assess movies based on their artistic merits, not just their perceived political leanings.
Well said. It’s important to maintain that balanced perspective, especially when it comes to creative works that inevitably stir up strong emotions and opinions.
This debate around ‘Dhurandhar’ highlights how political agendas can sometimes overshadow the artistic merits of a film. Sinha’s perspective provides a more balanced assessment focused on the filmmaking itself.
You make a fair point. It’s important to evaluate films based on their cinematic qualities, not just their perceived ideological leanings.
Sinha raises some valid technical points about the film’s production values, like the realistic recreation of Pakistan through the Bangkok sets. Those kinds of behind-the-scenes details are interesting to hear from an experienced actor.
Absolutely, the technical aspects of filmmaking are often overlooked in these debates. It’s good to see someone with Sinha’s credentials highlighting those elements.
It’s interesting to see how veteran actors like Sinha can offer a different lens on films that have become heavily politicized. His praise for the technical aspects and performances is a useful counterpoint to the ongoing debate.
Absolutely. Sinha’s insights provide a refreshing change of pace from the often heated rhetoric surrounding ‘Dhurandhar.’ It’s a more measured, nuanced take.
While the ‘Dhurandhar’ controversy continues, Sinha’s comments offer a refreshingly nuanced view. He seems to appreciate the film’s craft while acknowledging the polarized reactions, without getting dragged into the political rhetoric.
Well said. Sinha’s perspective provides a welcome balance in the discussion, focusing on the artistic merits rather than the ideological baggage.