Watch: Ranveer Singh’s New Ad With Prakash Padukone Features Jab At Dhruv Rathee, Eagle-Eyed Fans Spot Dhurandhar “Peak Detailing”
Ranveer Singh appeared on screen for the first time with his father-in-law and former badminton player Prakash Padukone in an advertisement.
Ranveer Singh is arguably the most talked-about actor of the year. Following the back-to-back box office success of his ‘Dhurandhar’ films, the superstar has now shared a special treat for fans by appearing on screen for the first time with his father-in-law, the legendary badminton player Prakash Padukone. While the new RuPay commercial has gone viral for the duo's heartwarming camaraderie, it is the "peak detailing" and a strategic "hidden jab" at YouTuber Dhruv Rathee that have broken the internet.
One of the most discussed moments in the advertisement occurs during a scene set inside a cinema hall. As Ranveer and Prakash Padukone discuss the convenience of using the app for payments in various locations, a movie poster is visible in the background. The poster features Ranveer Singh with the bold title: ‘Bavandar: The Tornado’.
Rupay ad with #RanveerSingh and #PrakashPadukone
— Versatile Fan (@versatilefan) April 13, 2026
Their first ad together #DeepVeer pic.twitter.com/DfhXQI0Dsj
Eagle-eyed fans were quick to identify this as a clever meta-joke. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee had previously shared videos criticizing Ranveer’s recent hits, ‘Dhurandhar’ and ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’, labelling them as "propaganda." In his critique, Dhruv Rathee discussed an imaginary film project he called “Operation Bhavandar”. By featuring a poster for a film titled ‘Bavandar’ in the ad, fans believe Ranveer has subtly roasted the YouTuber’s narrative.
Social media reactions have been swift, with one fan commenting, “Never mess with Hamza,” while another noted, “Ranveer Singh in his latest ad roasted Dhruv Rathee's Bhavandar which he made for criticising Dhurandhar. Peak detailing by Ranveer.”
Beyond the controversy, the commercial is packed with subtle nods to Ranveer’s real life. In the ad, Ranveer addresses Prakash Padukone as “Pappa,” which fans noted is exactly how Deepika Padukone addresses her father.
The "detailing" doesn't stop there. One scene features the duo at a gentlemen’s club holding badminton rackets – a clear homage to Prakash Padukone’s iconic sporting career. Another heartwarming moment shows them at an ice cream shop where Ranveer is seen holding a colourful unicorn toy. This has been widely interpreted as a sweet reference to Ranveer being a "girl dad," acknowledging the daughter he shares with Deepika.
The friction between the actor’s projects and the YouTuber stems from Dhruv Rathee’s claims that the ‘Dhurandhar’ series served as an expensive advertisement for the ruling party rather than pure entertainment. Dhruv Rathee had argued that the films glorified policies like demonetization to obscure economic disruptions.
By leaning into these references within a commercial, Ranveer Singh has managed to blend brand promotion with a sharp response to his critics. Whether it is the badminton rackets or the ‘Bavandar’ poster, this RuPay ad has proven that in the world of Ranveer Singh, every detail counts.
