Amid a growing social media backlash against the intense and graphic violence depicted in the trailer for the upcoming film Dhurandhar, director Suparn S Varma has stepped forward with a robust defence. The filmmaker, whose recent project Haq is also in the public eye, has taken to social media to question the double standards of Indian audiences, suggesting that similar visuals would be hailed as cinematic genius if they originated from East Asia.
A Defence of Cinematic Violence
Expressing his views on the platform X (formerly Twitter), Varma wrote that he was "amazed by some of the chatter about the violence in #Dhurandhar." He made a compelling comparison, stating, "The same viewers would have called it cinematic brilliance if this was in any other language or a Korean or Japanese film." He concluded his post with a call to action for the industry and its supporters, asserting, "It's high time we started to celebrate Hindi cinema and its filmmakers with the same passion we celebrate all makers and films."
Varma didn't stop at a general defence. He extended his full support to Aditya Dhar, the director of Dhurandhar, praising his unique creative vision. In his post, he acknowledged that every filmmaker brings a distinct voice and background to their work, and stated he was left "spellbound by the world and characters created by @adityadharfilms and his amazing team."
What Sparked the Controversy?
The four-minute trailer for the Ranveer Singh-starrer, which released earlier this week, has certainly made a bold impact. It features several scenes of extreme and gritty violence that have become the focal point of online debate. Among the most discussed visuals are:
- A particularly gruesome scene showing a character being tortured with numerous fishhooks embedded in his body.
- Another moment where Akshaye Khanna's character is seen brutally killing someone by crushing their head with a large stone.
The film boasts an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, and Sanjay Dutt in pivotal roles. Produced by Jio Studios and directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 5.
A Recurring Debate in Indian Cinema
This is not an isolated incident in the Indian film industry. The depiction of graphic violence has repeatedly triggered public discourse and criticism. This controversy echoes the recent backlash faced by other filmmakers:
- Sandeep Reddy Vanga's blockbuster Animal was heavily criticized for its bloody and misogynistic content.
- Director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat's film Kill also garnered attention for its non-stop, gory action sequences.
- The Malayalam film Marco faced similar accusations of glorifying violence in its narrative.
Suparn S Varma's intervention highlights a persistent cultural tension, questioning whether Indian audiences apply different standards to homegrown content compared to international cinema, particularly the often-lauded violent spectacles from Korean and Japanese filmmakers. The debate continues as the release date for Dhurandhar approaches.
