Rakesh Bedi Responds to Dhurandhar 2 'Propaganda' Criticism
Ranveer Singh's blockbuster film Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge continues its triumphant theatrical run, with veteran actor Rakesh Bedi earning widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Jameel Jamali. In an exclusive interview, Bedi addressed the film's overwhelming audience response, the ongoing political controversy surrounding its content, and his collaborative experience with director Aditya Dhar and co-star Ranveer Singh.
'I Don't Believe in Politics... It's Cinema'
Reacting to critics who have labeled the film as 'propaganda,' Rakesh Bedi told NDTV, 'I don't believe in politics. I think it's the cinema... Everybody has the right to like or dislike a film. But I don't think it's right to put a film into some kind of a category.'
He emphasized that the ultimate verdict lies with audiences, stating, 'The verdict is that people are loving it,' while pointing to the film's exceptional box office performance and packed theaters nationwide.
Crediting the Film's Creative Excellence
The seasoned actor attributed the film's success to its exceptional writing and unprecedented production scale. 'Dhurandhar's writing and screenplay are truly great. People haven't seen a film of this scale being mounted ever,' Bedi declared, adding that audiences are responding to the cinematic experience beyond the surrounding political noise.
'A Frenzy I've Never Seen Before'
Describing the unprecedented public response to Dhurandhar 2, Bedi expressed amazement: 'This is a mad frenzy which is going on. I've never seen something like this in my entire career.'
He passionately urged moviegoers to experience the film in theaters, noting, 'So many shows are running round the clock... People are genuinely celebrating cinema.'
Working with Ranveer Singh and Global Recognition
When discussing his experience sharing screen space with Ranveer Singh, Bedi offered insightful perspective: 'Stardom of any star is an outside phenomenon… When you're on set, you are completely in character.'
He emphasized the importance of collaborative respect: 'Everybody has to be on the same page and give respect to each other. Only then does the magic truly happen.'
Reacting to the film's international buzz, including a viral video showing Finland President Alexander Stubb and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney discussing Dhurandhar during a London run, Bedi expressed elation: 'What could possibly be a bigger compliment? I was absolutely elated.'
Praising Director Aditya Dhar's Vision
Recalling his conversations with director Aditya Dhar, Bedi shared: 'He used to say, "We are going to raise the bar." After I saw the completed film, I told him, "You have not just raised the bar, you have completely broken the bar."'
'A Fantastic Gift at This Stage of My Career'
Calling the Dhurandhar franchise a significant milestone, Rakesh Bedi reflected: 'It is truly a gift... I give full credit to Aditya Dhar for casting me in this remarkable project.'
The film features an ensemble cast including:
- Ranveer Singh in the lead role
- Rakesh Bedi as Jameel Jamali
- R Madhavan in a key supporting role
- Akshaye Khanna adding dramatic depth
- Sanjay Dutt bringing his signature intensity
- Arjun Rampal in a pivotal character
- Sara Arjun in an important role
As Dhurandhar 2 continues its record-breaking theatrical journey, Rakesh Bedi's performance and candid reflections add significant depth to the conversation surrounding one of Bollywood's most talked-about releases of the year.
