Ranveer Singh's latest cinematic offering, Dhurandhar, has solidified its position as a major box office force, achieving a significant financial milestone despite a storm of controversy surrounding its political undertones. The film, which hit theatres on December 5, has now amassed a staggering collection of over Rs 350 crore in India, demonstrating its powerful pull with audiences across the nation.
Nikitin Dheer Counters Negative Narratives
Amid polarising debates and sharp criticism over its alleged political messaging, the film has found a vocal champion in actor Nikitin Dheer. The son of the late actor Pankaj Dheer, Nikitin recently took to Instagram to share a video review and launch a robust defence of the project. He specifically called out the negative campaigns that targeted the movie even before its release.
"Dhurandhar has united the audience because, before its release, there was a strange narrative declaring it a flop even before it hit theatres," Dheer stated. He pointed out that the voices pushing this pessimistic narrative seemed to vanish once the film's commercial success became undeniable.
Praise for Craft and a Call for More Such Films
In his detailed appreciation, Nikitin Dheer lauded the technical and artistic prowess behind Dhurandhar. He expressed admiration for the film's cinematography, background score, and the performances delivered by the ensemble cast, which includes heavyweights like Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan alongside Ranveer Singh. He also applauded director Aditya Dhar for his clear vision.
Dheer argued that cinema like Dhurandhar serves a purpose larger than mere entertainment. "I believe more such films should be made, films that make you feel proud and even provoke anger," he said. He connected the film's narrative to India's geopolitical history, emphasising its accuracy and importance. Expressing his hopes for its continued run, he added, "I hope that it breaks barriers, Rs 500 crore to Rs 800 crore."
A Statement on Bollywood's Resilience
In the caption accompanying his post, Nikitin Dheer framed the film's journey as a triumph over adversity and falsehoods. "People usually hate what they can't control. Dhurandhar has demolished every hurdle in its path, shown the truth in the most cinematically beautiful way, destroyed false narratives and proved that Bollywood is alive and thriving," he wrote. He stated that the film's impact filled him with pride to be associated with the Indian film industry.
Concluding on a patriotic note, Dheer extended his support to the filmmakers and crew while paying tribute to the nation's soldiers. "May we see things for what they truly are, may we not be misled by pseudo-intellectuals and their flowery words, and may we remain united in our love and dedication towards our country. The real heroes are our soldiers," he stated.
The public show of support did not go unnoticed. Director Aditya Dhar promptly responded to Nikitin Dheer's post, thanking him for his well-articulated thoughts. "Such a well-put thought! Thank you so much, Nikitin sir. Lots of love!" Dhar commented, highlighting the solidarity within the film fraternity for the controversial yet commercially successful project.
