Actor Danish Pandor, known for his role as gangster Uzair Baloch in the espionage thriller Dhurandhar, has publicly addressed fellow star Hrithik Roshan's recent comments about the film. Hrithik had earlier praised the Ranveer Singh-starrer but expressed his personal discomfort with its political undertones.
Defending the Film's Researched Narrative
In a conversation with India TV, Pandor acknowledged that reactions to a film's perspective are subjective. However, he firmly stood by the project's foundation. "As far as the political aspect goes, these are all the research things," he stated. He specifically pointed to the film's depiction of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as an undeniable historical truth.
"Even if you take into consideration the 26/11 attack, you can’t deny that. It had happened and the voice notes of handlers and terrorist were there on the screen," Pandor explained. He described the impact of these authentic elements as visceral, saying they give viewers goosebumps and are deeply disheartening.
Praising Ranveer Singh's Emotional Performance in 26/11 Scene
Danish Pandor went into detail about a pivotal scene where Ranveer Singh's character, spy Hamza, learns the truth behind the planning of the 26/11 attacks. He was profoundly moved by Singh's performance, so much so that he hugged the actor immediately after the shot.
"I was there, and when I was looking at Ranveer on the monitor, the moment the shot got over, I went to him and gave him a tight hug because of the way he transitioned all throughout," Pandor recalled. He highlighted the complex emotions Singh conveyed with just his eyes—a mix of guilt, regret, and the haunting thought that the tragedy could have been prevented.
He lauded Ranveer Singh as a secure, selfless, and passionate actor whose sole motivation is to elevate every scene. Pandor expressed immense inspiration from Singh's dedicated work ethic and focus on his craft despite his superstar status.
On the Middle East Ban and Box Office Hopes
The actor also touched upon the reported ban of Dhurandhar in several Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE. While stating he did not know the precise reasons behind the restriction, Pandor expressed his belief that the film should be released there.
"If the market was open there as well, it would have been extremely big," he remarked, hopeful that the film would soon find a way to audiences in the Gulf region. The film has already sold a significant 1.72 lakh tickets for its day 15 in India and has earned an impressive Rs 702 crore globally so far.
Ultimately, Pandor's response underscores the filmmakers' commitment to a narrative they assert is built on factual research, particularly regarding one of India's most traumatic national events, while also celebrating the collaborative spirit and performance at the heart of the project.
