Left is “Art”, Right is “Propoganda”

Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge, starring Ranveer Singh, has emerged as a historic box office success, crossing ₹1400 crore globally within just 13 days. The film has not only become one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time but has also sparked widespread cultural conversation.

Yet, even as the film dominates theatres and social media discourse, a noticeable lack of vocal support from key figures in Bollywood has triggered debate—especially when contrasted with the enthusiastic praise pouring in from the South Indian film industry.

South Film Fraternity Leads the Applause

Prominent voices from the South have openly celebrated the film’s scale and performances. Superstar Rajinikanth called Dhar “box office ka baap,” while filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli praised Ranveer Singh’s performance, describing one emotional sequence as a “masterclass in acting.”

Other major names including Nagarjuna, Ram Charan, Jr NTR, Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun, and Vijay Deverakonda have also shared glowing reviews on social media.

Their support has translated into strong box office numbers in southern markets, where the film has reportedly earned over ₹200 crore. This is particularly notable given that *Dhurandhar 2* features an entirely Hindi film industry cast and crew, unlike previous pan-India hits.

Bollywood Reaction : Selective and Subdued

In contrast, many of Bollywood’s biggest stars have either remained silent or offered limited acknowledgment. While figures like Karan Johar, Alia Bhatt, and Akshay Kumar have praised the film, several high-profile names are yet to publicly react.

Aamir Khan has stated he has not yet watched the film, while Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan have not commented publicly. The absence of reactions from veterans like Amitabh Bachchan and actors such as Hrithik Roshan has further fueled online discussion.

Even Deepika Padukone—despite her personal connection to the film’s lead—has remained publicly silent, drawing criticism from sections of social media.

Industry Voices Question the Silence

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar openly criticized the lack of visible support, stating,

“I always say there is no unity in the film industry… One film doing well benefits everyone… We should appreciate openly.”

Meanwhile, Ram Gopal Varma attributed the silence to “fear” or “jealousy,” suggesting that the film’s unprecedented success may have unsettled parts of the industry.

Politics, Perception, and Caution

Beyond rivalry theories, some observers point to the film’s perceived political undertones as a possible factor. Dhurandhar 2 has faced criticism from certain quarters for allegedly aligning with the BJP government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to it being labelled by some as propaganda.

In such cases, Bollywood personalities often adopt a cautious approach, avoiding public endorsements that could draw them into ideological debates. This tendency to remain neutral on politically sensitive content may explain the restrained response.

Social Media Amplifies the Divide

Online reactions have been sharp and polarised. Fans have compared the South industry’s openness in celebrating success with what they describe as Bollywood’s “selective silence.” Trending discussions have questioned why a major Hindi film success has not been more widely acknowledged within its own ecosystem.

At the same time, several Bollywood actors—including Kartik Aaryan, Preity Zinta, Ananya Panday, and Sidharth Malhotra—have attended screenings and expressed appreciation, though their voices have been overshadowed by the absence of the industry’s biggest stars.