Shilpa Shetty Defends ‘Dhurandhar’ as Patriotic Amid Criticism, Praises Director and Ranveer Singh’s Performance

Shilpa Shetty has joined a growing chorus of Bollywood celebrities praising the recently released action thriller “Dhurandhar,” describing it as “one of the most patriotic films” she has seen in a long time. The actress took to Instagram on Monday to share her enthusiasm for the film, which has been generating significant buzz in the Indian film industry since its theatrical release on December 5.

In her social media post, Shetty specifically highlighted Ranveer Singh’s performance, commending him for his “perfectly nuanced” portrayal that fit his character “to a T.” She also expressed admiration for Akshaye Khanna’s commanding screen presence, describing his aura as “maxxx.”

The “Hungama 2” actress didn’t stop there, extending her praise to R. Madhavan, stating that “no one could have played it better than you.” She further acknowledged Arjun Rampal as “a revelation” and veteran actor Sanjay Dutt as a “rockstar as always.” Supporting cast members Gaurav Gera, Manav Gohil, and Rakesh Bedi also received recognition for their “fantastic” performances.

Shetty’s enthusiasm extended beyond the on-screen talent to the film’s technical aspects. She gave a special mention to composer Shashwat for the background score and soundtrack, revealing that it has become her “current favourite playlist.” The actress also applauded producer and director Aditya Dhar, describing him as “a visionary” whose work has left a lasting impact on her.

To demonstrate her fandom, Shetty shared a video of herself dancing to “FA9LA,” the entry song for Akshaye Khanna’s character in the film. In her caption, she playfully wrote, “Fan toh mila nahi lekin mai fan ho gayi hu, toh yeh trend karna banta tha” (I couldn’t meet the fan, but I’ve become a fan, so I had to join this trend).

“Dhurandhar,” directed by Aditya Dhar, features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt in prominent roles. The film also stars Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Manav Gohil, Danish Pandor, Saumya Tandon, Gaurav Gera, and Naveen Kaushik.

This patriotic action thriller has been making waves in the industry, with many Bollywood celebrities taking to social media to express their appreciation. The film marks another significant project for director Aditya Dhar, who previously gained acclaim for his work on “Uri: The Surgical Strike,” which was both a commercial success and critically acclaimed for its patriotic themes.

The positive reception from industry insiders like Shilpa Shetty could potentially boost the film’s commercial prospects as it continues its theatrical run. Such endorsements often influence audience perception and can drive increased footfall in theaters, especially for films with nationalistic themes that resonate with Indian audiences.

“Dhurandhar” joins a line of recent Bollywood productions that have embraced patriotic storytelling, a genre that has found significant success at the Indian box office in recent years. The film’s release comes at a time when the industry is rebounding from post-pandemic challenges, with audiences gradually returning to theaters for compelling content.

As the film continues its theatrical journey, endorsements from established stars like Shetty could play a crucial role in extending its commercial run and cementing its position in the competitive December release calendar.