The upcoming Bollywood spy film Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, has ignited a fierce online debate following the release of its high-octane trailer. While the preview has been widely praised for its intense action and gritty atmosphere, it has simultaneously drawn sharp criticism for its graphic depiction of violence, with prominent content creator Dhruv Rathee leading the charge against it.
Dhruv Rathee's Scathing Critique
Shortly after the trailer's debut, Rathee took to social media platform X to voice his strong disapproval. He described the trailer as "excessively violent" and accused filmmaker Aditya Dhar of crossing a line. "Aditya Dhar has truly crossed a limit of cheapness in Bollywood," Rathee wrote in his post.
He went on to make a stark comparison, stating, "The extreme violence, gore and torture shown in his latest film trailer is the equivalent of watching ISIS beheadings and calling it 'entertainment'." Rathee further alleged that the director's "lust for money is so unhinged" that he is "willingly poisoning the minds of the young generation, desensitizing them to gore and glorifying unimaginable torture."
In a direct challenge to the country's film certification body, Rathee urged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to scrutinize the trailer's content. He questioned the board's priorities, writing, "This is the chance for the Censor Board to show whether they have a bigger problem with people kissing or with someone being skinned alive."
What Makes The Dhurandhar Trailer So Controversial?
The trailer for Dhurandhar features Ranveer Singh in the lead role as an Indian spy operating within Pakistan. The film boasts a powerful ensemble cast including Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and R. Madhavan.
The controversy primarily stems from two specific and brutal sequences. One scene shows Arjun Rampal's character, an ISI Major, involved in the act of peeling a man's skin. Another disturbing moment features Akshaye Khanna's gangster character brutally smashing a man's head with a large stone. These visuals have become the central focus of the online discourse, dividing audiences.
Fan Backlash and Defence of Creative Freedom
Despite the severe criticism from Rathee, a significant number of fans and movie enthusiasts have rallied behind the film, embracing its dark and uncompromising tone.
One user countered Rathee's argument online, stating, "It’s a movie ffs, directors have the creative freedom to show what fits their story. No one is forcing anyone to watch it." The user suggested that if the violence were toned down, critics would likely complain that the film lacked intensity.
Other reactions praised the trailer's overall impact. A fan commented on the background score, saying, "The energy, the darkness, the atmosphere… feels like Shashwat just opened a new chapter in Indian music." Another supporter made a direct plea to the censor board, writing, "Jaisa trailer me dikh raha hai, waisa hi theatre me bhi dikhna chahiye. No cuts, no blurs," demanding an uncut theatrical release.
The grand trailer launch event was held at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai, attended by director Aditya Dhar, lead actor Ranveer Singh, and the rest of the cast. The film, which also stars Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi, is scheduled for a theatrical release on December 5.
