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YouTuber Dhruv Rathee Targets Box Office Hit Dhurandhar, Promises “Exposé” Video
Political commentator and content creator Dhruv Rathee has stirred controversy with a cryptic yet pointed message seemingly aimed at the blockbuster film “Dhurandhar.” In a tweet posted Saturday afternoon, Rathee declared: “It takes 1 YouTube video to destroy a ₹300 crore propaganda film. And I guarantee you that the MELTDOWN after this video will be so bad. They’re not ready for this. Releasing tonight ;).”
While Rathee didn’t explicitly name “Dhurandhar,” social media users quickly connected the dots, noting the film recently surpassed the ₹300 crore mark at the domestic box office. The Ranveer Singh-starrer has emerged as one of the year’s biggest commercial successes, amassing over ₹480 crore net in India and approximately ₹740 crore worldwide since its December 5 release.
This isn’t Rathee’s first critique of the film. In November, following the trailer’s release, he harshly condemned director Aditya Dhar for what he described as gratuitous violence. “Aditya Dhar has truly crossed a limit of cheapness in Bollywood. The extreme violence, gore and torture shown in his latest film trailer is the equivalent of watching ISIS beheadings and calling it ‘entertainment,'” Rathee wrote at the time.
He further accused Dhar of “poisoning the minds of the young generation, desensitizing them to gore and glorifying unimaginable torture” in pursuit of profit.
“Dhurandhar” depicts Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy infiltrating Pakistan’s Lyari gangland to dismantle terror networks. While the film has garnered praise for its technical execution and performances, it has simultaneously faced criticism for its political undertones. Even actor Hrithik Roshan, in his otherwise positive review, noted disagreement with the film’s politics.
The ongoing tension between Rathee and the filmmakers highlights the increasingly polarized discourse surrounding Indian cinema that touches on geopolitical issues. With a substantial online following, Rathee’s commentary carries significant weight among younger, digitally-connected audiences.
Industry analysts suggest the controversy may actually benefit “Dhurandhar” by generating additional publicity as it continues its theatrical run. The film’s commercial success has already secured its position as one of the year’s highest-grossing productions, with a sequel already scheduled for March 2026.
The star-studded cast includes industry veterans Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, and Sanjay Dutt alongside Ranveer Singh, whose performance has received widespread acclaim despite the film’s controversial elements.
The promised video from Rathee is likely to reignite debates about the responsibilities of filmmakers when addressing sensitive geopolitical issues, the glorification of violence in mainstream cinema, and the fine line between patriotic storytelling and propaganda.
As digital influencers like Rathee increasingly challenge traditional entertainment, their ability to shape public discourse around major releases presents both challenges and opportunities for the film industry. The ultimate impact of Rathee’s promised “exposé” on the commercial trajectory of “Dhurandhar” remains to be seen, though the film’s established box office momentum suggests it may weather the criticism while continuing to spark important conversations about the intersection of entertainment and politics.
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10 Comments
Interesting that a YouTuber is taking on a major Bollywood blockbuster. I’m curious to see the ‘exposé’ video and understand the perspective Rathee brings to the table. These kinds of cultural and political debates are always thought-provoking.
This is an interesting development in the ongoing debate around Bollywood and its political influence. I’ll be curious to see the specific arguments Rathee makes and how they are received. Cultural and political discussions around films can be quite polarizing, so a balanced, nuanced approach is important.
While I respect Dhruv Rathee’s work, I’m not sure ‘destroying’ a successful Bollywood film is the right approach, even if there are concerns about propaganda. A measured, fact-based critique would be more constructive. I hope the video focuses on the substance, not just sensationalism.
A ₹300 crore ‘propaganda film’? That’s a hefty budget and a bold claim. I’m interested to see what Rathee uncovers, but I hope his critique goes beyond just political posturing. Rigorous analysis of the film’s content and messaging would be more illuminating.
As someone interested in the Indian film industry, I’m intrigued by this clash between a popular YouTuber and a major Bollywood blockbuster. It highlights the evolving media landscape and shifting power dynamics. I’ll be curious to see how this plays out.
Dhruv Rathee taking on a major Bollywood blockbuster is certainly newsworthy. While I’m not familiar with the film in question, I’m always intrigued by discussions around the intersection of entertainment, politics, and propaganda. I’ll be curious to see the substance of Rathee’s arguments.
A ₹300 crore ‘propaganda film’? That’s quite an ambitious claim. I’ll reserve judgment until I see the YouTuber’s video, but I hope the criticism is substantive and not just political grandstanding.
I agree, it’s important to avoid knee-jerk reactions and look at the substance of the arguments. Propaganda claims can be tricky, so I’ll be interested to see how Rathee backs up that assertion.
Wow, a ₹300 crore ‘propaganda film’? That’s a bold claim. I’m always skeptical of accusations of propaganda, as they can often be politically motivated. I’ll reserve judgment until I see the YouTuber’s evidence and analysis.
As someone interested in the Indian film industry, I’m eager to see Dhruv Rathee’s ‘exposé’ video on this ₹300 crore Bollywood film. Accusations of propaganda are serious, so I hope the critique is well-researched and objective, rather than just political point-scoring.