Former television star and politician Smriti Irani has become the latest high-profile admirer of the cinematic juggernaut 'Dhurandhar', joining the legion of fans captivated by the Aditya Dhar directorial. Irani took to social media to express her profound admiration, particularly for actor Akshaye Khanna's powerful performance.
Smriti Irani's Oscar-Worthy Praise for Akshaye Khanna
In a recent Instagram story, Smriti Irani shared a nostalgic clip from the film 'Tees Maar Khan', featuring Akshay Kumar and Akshaye Khanna. The clip humorously shows Kumar excitedly demanding an Academy Award for Khanna's character. Irani captioned this throwback moment with a passionate declaration directed at Khanna's work in 'Dhurandhar'. She wrote, "When Akshaye Khanna has surpassed all expectations & you too want to yell... de do Oscar", followed by six celebratory emojis and the hashtag #Dhurandhar.
This public endorsement is not Irani's first for the film. A week prior, she had penned a detailed and emotionally charged note on the social media platform, dissecting the film's narrative and the stellar performances of its cast. Her analysis went beyond mere cinematic critique, connecting the film's themes to real-life tragedies.
Connecting Cinema to Real-Life Trauma
In her extensive post, Irani addressed the critics who have expressed outrage over certain elements of 'Dhurandhar'. She framed her defense by invoking the profound grief and resilience of terror attack survivors. "If you have looked into the eyes of the wife of a fallen soldier and walked her to the cremation ground; if you have visited the Jagti camp in Jammu; if you have seen the deserted temple premises of Sharika Devi in Srinagar; if you have met those who were on duty during the Parliament attack or have family who survived the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, then nothing in Dhurandhar should lead you to outrage. After all, it's just a film," she stated powerfully.
This perspective highlights the film's attempt to portray the raw emotions and complex aftermath of terrorism, a subject Irani suggests is far more harrowing in reality than any cinematic depiction.
Dhurandhar's Unstoppable Box Office Run
The film that has sparked such intense discussion continues its record-breaking spree at the ticket windows. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, 'Dhurandhar' has stormed past the Rs 400 crore mark and is swiftly approaching the monumental Rs 500 crore milestone. After running successfully in theatres for 12 days, the film's estimated collection stands at an impressive Rs 493 crore.
Featuring an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Danish Pandor, and R. Madhavan, the film presents a high-octane narrative that has clearly resonated with audiences nationwide. The convergence of critical acclaim, stellar performances, and massive commercial success solidifies 'Dhurandhar's' position as a defining blockbuster of the year.
