Aditya Dhar's blockbuster film 'Dhurandhar' has achieved a monumental net collection of over Rs 780 crore in India, with its worldwide gross soaring past the Rs 1000 crore mark. While the film has been celebrated by a vast audience, it has also ignited a fierce debate, with some critics labeling it a 'propaganda' film. Amidst this controversy, noted author and columnist Shobhaa De has voiced a strong defense of the movie, drawing a sharp comparison with other popular spy thrillers.
Shobhaa De's Take: Dhurandhar vs. The Spy Universe
In a candid conversation with Vickey Lalwani, Shobhaa De explained her preference for 'Dhurandhar' over other entries in the so-called spy universe. She emphasized that an audience's reaction to a film should be based on personal enjoyment and technical merit, irrespective of the director's perceived political ideology. "I don't care what political ideology Aditya Dhar has or who he represents... I'm watching the film as a viewer. Did I like it? Did I relate to it? Did I enjoy it? Did I find it technically superior?" she stated.
De elaborated that 'Dhurandhar' resonated with her because it engaged with sensitive historical issues familiar to her generation, which she feels the younger audience may not be fully aware of. She contrasted this with the spy universe films, which she finds disconnected from reality. "'Dhurandhar' is a kind of an eye opener because unlike the other films... which have nothing to do with our reality," De said, citing examples of fictionalized spy romances that bear little resemblance to actual intelligence operations.
The Anupama Chopra Review Controversy
The debate intensified when prominent film critic Anupama Chopra published a negative review of 'Dhurandhar,' which was later pulled down. Actor Paresh Rawal had shared her review with a critical caption, "Aren't you tired of being Miss Irrelevant?" Reacting to the incident, Shobhaa De expressed uncertainty about whether Chopra removed the review voluntarily or under pressure but underscored the film's ability to stand on its own.
However, De was unequivocal about the principle of critical freedom. "She has every right not to like the film and say so," De asserted. Addressing the hypothetical scenario of being pressured herself, she took a firm stand: "If I were in Anupama's place and if there was a pressure to pull down my review, I would have resigned. I wouldn't have taken any such command from the bosses because the reason they hired me is for my opinion."
Art, Ideology, and Audience Choice
Shobhaa De concluded her argument by drawing a parallel with global cinema, urging audiences to view films with political content through a similar lens. "Every single filmmaker, especially someone who comes with sensitive content, comes with a certain political ideology. We should accept it the same way we accept films out of Hollywood which have strong political content," she remarked.
The conversation around 'Dhurandhar' thus transcends its staggering box office numbers, touching upon core questions of artistic freedom, nationalistic narratives in cinema, and the space for dissenting critical voices in the public sphere. The film's commercial success is now indelibly linked to a larger cultural and political discourse.
