Anupam Kher Slams “Propaganda” Labels For ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’, Hails Ranveer Singh’s Performance As “Outstanding”
Anupam Kher strongly backed ‘Dhurandhar The Revenge’, slamming propaganda claims while praising Ranveer Singh’s performance and hailing the rest of the film’s team.
The Indian film industry is currently witnessing a massive cinematic phenomenon with the release of Aditya Dhar’s ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’. While the film is shattering records at the box office, it has also sparked a heated debate regarding its themes. Veteran actor Anupam Kher has now waded into the conversation, fiercely defending the film against critics who have labelled it a “propaganda vehicle” or “jingoistic”. Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Anupam Kher shared a lengthy, deeply personal video review after watching the spy thriller.
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The veteran actor revealed that he was so moved by the experience that he immediately called director Aditya Dhar to offer his congratulations. In a heartfelt caption, Anupam Kher described the film as more than just a movie, calling it an "emotion" and a "journey" that stays with the viewer long after the credits roll.
Check out Anupam Kher’s Instagram video below:
“You walk out of a film… and there's a silence within you that says everything, yet explains nothing. That’s what watching #Dhurandhar felt like,” Anupam Kher stated.
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The most striking part of Anupam Kher’s review was his sharp rebuttal to those criticising the film's tone. Anupam Kher, who starred in ‘The Kashmir Files’, drew parallels between the criticism faced by both films. He expressed sadness and “pity” for individuals who dismiss such stories as propaganda, suggesting that they should be “ashamed of themselves”.
“Initially, before I watched the film, I got angry because they tried to call The Kashmir Files a propaganda film,” Anupam Kher said in the video. He challenged the critics of the film's patriotic themes, stating, “If you can't tolerate such a movie, go and make such a film... Put some money and hire some writers.” He argued that ‘Dhurandhar 2’ successfully showcases the brilliance of modern India, its systems, and its intelligence agencies.
Anupam Kher, who also runs an acting school, was particularly generous in his praise for lead actor Ranveer Singh. He noted that as a teacher of the craft, it takes a lot of "conviction" for him to truly salute a performance. He lauded Ranveer’s body language and his ability to portray "simmering anger" and visible pain.
Ranveer Singh, moved by the veteran’s words, responded in the comments section with deep humility.
“Shabd toh Mere kam pad gaye yeh dekh kar, Sir. Aap ki kalakari se prerit ho kar bade hue hain, Sir. Aapka aise kehna mere liye bahut bahut badi baat hai. Aap ko koti koti pranaam, Sir,” Ranveer wrote.
Anupam Kher also gave significant shout-outs to the rest of the ensemble cast, calling Sanjay Dutt "brilliant" and praising the contributions of R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi.
‘Dhurandhar 2’ serves as both a sequel and an origin story for Ranveer Singh’s character, Hamza Ali Mazari (also known as Jaskirat Singh Rangi). The plot follows the Indian spy as he continues his mission to dismantle a terror network in Pakistan that threatens Indian security.
The film's impact is not just being felt in critical circles but also at the ticket windows. Released on March 19, the spy thriller has already achieved a historic milestone, crossing the Rs 450 crore mark in India. In paid previews, the movie earned Rs 43 crore. On its first day (Thursday), it made Rs 102.55 crore, followed by Rs 80.72 crore on Friday, Rs 113 crore on Saturday and Rs 114 crore on Sunday.
With such massive momentum, ‘Dhurandhar 2’ appears set to become one of the biggest blockbusters in recent memory.
