Dhurandhar 2 BJP’s high-budget political advertisement: Dhruv Rathee
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Entertainment: The sequel to filmmaker Aditya Dhar’s action entertainer Dhurandhar is drawing strong box office numbers and audience response, particularly for lead actor Ranveer Singh. However, the film has also sparked political criticism from YouTuber Dhruv Rathee.
Rathee has alleged that the film functions less as entertainment and more as a high-budget political campaign aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party. He has argued that the narrative presents selective interpretations of events, particularly portraying the 2016 demonetisation as a security-driven move while downplaying its broader economic consequences.
According to his analysis, the film relies heavily on emotional storytelling techniques that shape audience perception. He also questioned the film’s claim of depicting real events, stating that several portrayals diverge from factual accounts.
The criticism adds to ongoing debates around cinema’s role in influencing political opinion, that is to influence voters.
According to a recent report by Outlook, sections of international media have criticised the film’s tone and content, particularly its graphic depiction of violence and perceived political messaging. The story centres on the rise of Hamza Ali Mazari, played by Singh, tracing his journey in Lyari and within Pakistan’s ISI, as he takes on terror groups accused of orchestrating attacks in India.
Several critics have argued that the film leans heavily into brutality at the cost of nuance. Writing for The New York Times, critic Nicolas Rapold suggested that the sequel amplifies concerns raised about the original, particularly in how it portrays violence tied to national and religious identities, making it reflective of a tense contemporary climate rather than an escapist experience.
Other reviewers echoed similar concerns about excess. Sarah Manvel of Movies We Texted About described the film as overwhelmingly violent, arguing that its relentless intensity leaves little room for audience enjoyment. She also criticised certain sequences as insensitive, noting that attempts at humour fall flat against the backdrop of extreme brutality.
Siddhant Adlakha, reviewing for IGN, said the sequel expands in scale but sacrifices emotional depth, prioritising overt political messaging over storytelling. He further suggested that the film lacks artistic subtlety and human drama. He implied that the movie was nothing less than naked political propaganda intended to provoke voters.