Veteran filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, known for his thought-provoking cinema over two decades, has shared a detailed and nuanced review of the recently released spy thriller 'Dhurandhar', starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar. Kashyap's review, posted on the social film platform Letterboxd, offers both high praise and pointed criticism, sparking conversation within the film community.
Kashyap's Praise for Craft and Honest Politics
Anurag Kashyap began his review by establishing a clear premise for the spy genre. He stated that a spy or a soldier must inherently possess hate and angst against the enemy state, a point on which he had no issue with the film's foundation. He then launched into substantial praise for director Aditya Dhar, whom he has known since Dhar's National Award-winning film 'Boond'.
Kashyap emphasized Dhar's genuine and honest politics, calling him "not an opportunist like others." He contextualized Dhar's filmography, noting that all his films are about Kashmir and stem from his personal experience as a Kashmiri Pandit who has suffered. "Either you argue with him or let him be," Kashyap wrote, acknowledging the director's stubborn and personal vision.
On the technical front, Kashyap was unequivocal in his admiration, declaring the "filmmaking is top notch." He drew parallels to acclaimed Hollywood films like 'The Hurt Locker' and 'Zero Dark Thirty', which he termed Oscar-winning propaganda films for the USA, suggesting a similar genre positioning for 'Dhurandhar'.
The Two Dialogues That Stood Out as 'Propaganda'
Despite his overall appreciation, Kashyap pinpointed two specific sequences in the film that he found problematic. The first involves actor R. Madhavan's dialogue: 'ek din aisa ayega jab jo desh ke bare me koi sochaga' (A day will come when people will think about the country). The second is Ranveer Singh's line towards the end: 'ye naya India hai' (This is a new India).
Kashyap explicitly labeled these as "propaganda dialogues" and stated that if one can ignore these two moments, "it’s a good film." He clarified that his appreciation for the filmmaking and the director's stubborn vision allowed him to look past these elements.
Commendation for Ranveer Singh and Final Verdict
In a significant note for the lead actor, Kashyap declared that 'Dhurandhar' features his favourite performance by Ranveer Singh, whom he described as a "very secure actor." This endorsement adds considerable weight to Singh's portrayal in the high-stakes genre film.
Kashyap concluded his review on a reflective note. He stated that if he, as a filmmaker, ever needs to argue about the politics of a film, he would call Aditya Dhar directly for a discussion. Nevertheless, he firmly categorized 'Dhurandhar' as a "significant film," leaving readers with a balanced view that separates cinematic craft from ideological content. His review underscores the complex interplay between art, politics, and personal expression in contemporary Indian cinema.
