Veteran actor Paresh Rawal has launched a sharp public critique against noted film journalist Anupama Chopra following her disappointing review of the recently released espionage thriller 'Dhurandhar'. The film, starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, has ignited a fiery debate between critical opinion and audience reception.
The Critique and the Clapback
In her review, Anupama Chopra, who is married to filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, described the Ranveer Singh-starrer as an "exhausting, relentless and frenzied espionage thriller". She further critiqued it for being propelled by "charismatic, murderous men, too much testosterone, shrill nationalism and inflammatory anti-Pakistan narratives." Expanding on her views in an interview with Hollywood Reporter India's YouTube channel, she noted that director Aditya Dhar tactically wove in real events like the Kandahar hijacking and the 2001 Parliament attack, but felt the mix of fact and flamboyance was "both dangerous and clunky."
Paresh Rawal's response was swift and cutting. Taking to his X handle (formerly Twitter), the actor retorted with a pointed question aimed at Chopra: "Aren't you tired of being Miss Irrelevant?" This public rebuke has become the focal point of a larger conversation about film criticism and fan sentiment in the digital age.
Audience Love and Box Office Numbers Tell a Different Story
Contrasting sharply with Chopra's assessment, the public reaction to 'Dhurandhar' has been largely positive online. Many viewers who have seen the film have called it "well-made" and praised it as a "solid movie with power-packed music and performances." This divide between professional critique and popular opinion is further emphasized by the film's commercial performance.
According to box office tracking platform Sacnilk, 'Dhurandhar' is proving to be a major success. The film netted an impressive Rs 33 crore in India on its second day, marking a significant 22.22% jump from its opening day earnings. This strong performance signals a powerful box office return for lead actor Ranveer Singh.
Inside the World of 'Dhurandhar'
Anupama Chopra's review detailed the film's expansive plot. She described Ranveer Singh's role as Hamza, an undercover operative infiltrating Karachi's Lyari underworld. The film boasts a spectacular supporting cast including Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, and Sara Arjun, creating a gritty, Gotham-like world filled with gang rivalry, ISI machinations, and extreme violence. Directed by Aditya Dhar of 'Uri: The Surgical Strike' fame, this three-hour-thirty-four-minute epic is only Part 1, with Part 2 scheduled for release in March.
The controversy highlights the ongoing tension in Bollywood between critical analysis and mass audience appeal, especially for films with patriotic themes. While critics dissect narrative technique and messaging, the box office figures and fan reactions demonstrate a clear audience appetite for such high-octane, nationalistic thrillers.
