The blockbuster spy thriller Dhurandhar has returned to cinemas with a revised audio track, featuring muted dialogues containing specific words. The filmmakers voluntarily chose to silence mentions of 'Baloch' and 'intelligence' after these terms were reportedly found offensive by certain communities.
Voluntary Changes by Production House
Officials clarified to PTI that Aditya Dhar Films, the production banner behind the movie, decided to "make the changes on their own." They stressed that there was no directive from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry regarding this alteration. The production house subsequently approached the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with the modified version for clearance.
The film, which originally released on December 5, continues its record-breaking box office run, having earned over Rs 700 crore domestically. The mega-hit is now being screened with the specific dialogues muted.
Context of the Muted Words in the Plot
In the narrative of Dhurandhar, actor Akshaye Khanna portrays a character named Rahman Dakait, who is hailed as a respected leader of the Baloch community and is referred to as Rehman Baloch. Ranveer Singh's character, Hamza, also claims to belong to the same community.
The film's plot depicts the Baloch community as suppliers of weapons to Rahman's character, who then sells them to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for orchestrating terror attacks against India. The muting of these words alters the auditory context of these plot points while the visual narrative remains unchanged.
No External Pressure, Claim Officials
Reiterating the voluntary nature of the edit, officials emphasized that the decision originated solely from the filmmakers. The move appears to be a precautionary step to avoid potential controversy or hurt sentiments, ensuring the film's uninterrupted theatrical run.
This instance highlights the increasingly complex landscape filmmakers navigate regarding cultural and community sensitivities, even after a film has been certified and released successfully. The self-regulatory action by Aditya Dhar Films sets a precedent for post-release edits driven by producer discretion rather than regulatory mandate.
