Priyadarshan Defends Dhurandhar: The Revenge Amid ‘Propaganda’ Debate

Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan has strongly defended Aditya Dhar’s latest blockbuster Dhurandhar: The Revenge against allegations of being “propaganda,” asserting that the film presents “truth” and has been validated by widespread audience acceptance.

In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Priyadarshan dismissed criticism from a section of viewers, stating, “There’s nothing like propaganda. You are just bringing the truth in front of the people. When the whole of India has accepted it, then why do some people’s opinions matter?”

He added pointedly, “India has watched and accepted it. There are no bigger hits. Do you think those people who have watched the film are fools?” while urging filmmakers not to engage with detractors.

A Mentor Reflects on Aditya Dhar’s Journey

Priyadarshan also revisited Dhar’s early struggles, revealing that the filmmaker had once been disheartened after some of his scripts were used without credit.

“He was very disheartened… but he never told me until he started working for me,” Priyadarshan said, recalling their conversations during Dhar’s early career phase.

Dhar, who worked as a dialogue writer on Priyadarshan’s films Aakrosh (2010) and Tezz (2012), eventually found his footing in the industry. The veteran filmmaker described his protégé’s success as deeply fulfilling: “When your children and disciples come up in life, that’s the best joy you can ever have.”

Box Office Dominance and Industry Support

Directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, the spy action drama has emerged as a massive commercial success. The film reportedly crossed ₹1,000 crore worldwide within its first week and has gone on to collect over ₹1,200 crore globally.

Featuring an ensemble cast including Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Rakesh Bedi, the film follows an Indian spy infiltrating underworld networks in Pakistan to dismantle a terror operation.

The film’s performance has been matched by strong backing from industry figures, including Rajinikanth, further cementing its cultural and commercial impact.

Priyadarshan on Filmmaking Conviction

Beyond defending the film, Priyadarshan credited Dhar’s success to his unwavering belief in his vision. He also praised Sandeep Reddy Vanga for a similar approach.

“Some people have guts… It’s against all the theories of a hit film. No producer will ever allow you to make a four-hour film, but the conviction of the director is the ultimate thing,” he said.

Interestingly, Priyadarshan downplayed his own role as a mentor, noting that Dhar is largely self-taught: “I never taught Aditya anything… by being with me, he learned by himself.”

Debate Intensifies Around ‘Propaganda’ in Cinema

The conversation around Dhurandhar: The Revenge gained further traction after filmmaker Vetrimaaran spoke about “hate propaganda” in films, prompting speculation online—though he did not name any specific project.

Despite the ongoing discourse, the film continues its strong theatrical run, with consistent weekday collections and widespread audience turnout.

Priyadarshan’s Upcoming Projects

On the work front, Priyadarshan is preparing for the release of Bhooth Bangla, a horror-comedy starring Akshay Kumar, alongside Paresh Rawal, Tabu, Rajpal Yadav, and Wamiqa Gabbi. The film is scheduled to release on April 10.

He also has another project, Haiwaan, in development, featuring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.