The 'Dhurandhar' franchise, comprising 'Dhurandhar' and 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge', has been making headlines for multiple reasons. Since the first part's release in December 2025, it not only shattered box office records but also became a hot topic on social media, sparking memes, fan theories, and viral clips. The second installment, which hit theaters on March 19 this year, surpassed all records set by its predecessor.
Amid the commercial success and audience adulation, the film series has faced criticism, with some labeling it as 'propaganda'. Now, veteran screenwriter Javed Akhtar has weighed in on the controversy. Akhtar was recently honored with a special award by a jewelry brand in the city. During the event, while interacting with the media, he was asked about the 'propaganda' tag attached to the 'Dhurandhar' franchise.
As quoted by PTI, Akhtar responded, "I don't know what you mean by propaganda films. I loved 'Dhurandhar'; it was an excellent film. I liked the first one more than the second." He elaborated further, saying, "Every story takes a stand, but does it become propaganda because the narrative doesn't suit a section of the audience? Everyone has the right to propagate their ideas. What is wrong with propaganda films? The task of every filmmaker is to present the truth."
Akhtar went on to explain that every narrative, even one rooted in fantasy, carries a certain ideology beneath the surface. Thus, films inevitably convey a message or moral, which audiences may interpret in different ways or label according to their own perspectives.
'Dhurandhar' features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Rakesh Bedi, Gaurav Gera, and Danish Pandor.
