Political commentator and popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has ignited a fresh controversy with a detailed video critique of the blockbuster Hindi film Dhurandhar. Rathee asserts that the spy thriller, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, contains "subtle propaganda" and risks misleading its massive audience by deliberately blurring the lines between historical fact and cinematic fiction.
Blurring Fact and Fiction: The Core Criticism
In his analysis, Rathee posed a critical question to viewers: how can they distinguish reality from the fictional narrative presented on screen? He argued that the film's technique of weaving real-world events into a dramatic storyline could leave audiences with a distorted perception of recent history. "The audience cannot tell. And viewers who are immersed in the film do not even question it. This is why it becomes gospel truth for them," Rathee stated, highlighting the potent influence of cinema.
Rathee also took sharp aim at the film's portrayal of its antagonist, Rehman Dakait, played by Akshaye Khanna. He pointed out that the character, based on a brutal criminal involved in heinous activities, is presented with a stylish and charismatic swagger. "The film also glorifies violence and gangsters... Is it appropriate to stylise such terrorists in this way?" he questioned, echoing broader concerns about the normalization of violence in mainstream entertainment.
Historical Parallels and Filmmaker's Responsibility
Drawing a stark historical parallel, Rathee issued a warning to director Aditya Dhar. He cautioned that persistently embedding political messages in film could lead to a legacy akin to that of Leni Riefenstahl, the filmmaker infamous for her propaganda work for Adolf Hitler. Rathee invoked critic Susan Sontag to underline that well-crafted propaganda can be particularly influential and dangerous.
Furthermore, Rathee challenged the film's patriotic claims by listing a series of acclaimed films he considers genuinely patriotic, such as Sarfarosh, Swades, and Chak De India. "Art should sensitise people, but filmmakers like Aditya Dhar desensitise them," he argued, emphasizing a filmmaker's responsibility towards society.
He also referenced actor Hrithik Roshan's recent comments, where Roshan praised the film's storytelling while disagreeing with its politics. Rathee countered this view, stating, "no matter how well made a film is, in the end, it is still propaganda."
Audience Division and Box Office Triumph
The release of Rathee's video has intensified the ongoing public debate around Dhurandhar. However, the critical discourse has done little to dent the film's commercial success. Dhurandhar has become the fastest Hindi film to cross the ₹500 crore mark, achieving the feat in a mere 16 days.
Online reactions to Rathee's critique have been largely negative, with many viewers accusing him of providing inadvertent publicity for the film. Comments ranged from calling him hypocritical to arguing that the film's success in markets like Pakistan contradicts his propaganda claims.
This episode follows Rathee's earlier criticism of the film's trailer, which he compared to extremist content for its graphic violence. As Dhurandhar continues its record-breaking run, the clash between its technical acclaim and the debate over its thematic messaging shows no signs of abating.
