Anupam Kher Praises Dhurandhar, Calls Its Success a Slap to ‘Propaganda’ Critics

Veteran actor Anupam Kher has welcomed the blockbuster success of Dhurandhar, calling it a powerful response to critics who attempted to label the spy thriller as propaganda. Praising director Aditya Dhar for his conviction-led storytelling, Kher said the film’s audience-driven triumph speaks louder than any debate.

Sharing a video message on Instagram, Kher congratulated Dhar and the team, even though he is not associated with the project. He said the film’s reception brought him “peace and pride,” adding that some films transcend box-office numbers to become landmarks in cinema.

Kher said he deliberately chose not to focus on figures or technicalities, instead highlighting the long-term cultural impact of certain films. Drawing parallels with classics such as The Godfather, Sholay and Mughal-e-Azam, he also referenced his own notable works, including Saaransh, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Lamhe, A Wednesday! and Khosla Ka Ghosla, to underline how conviction-driven cinema leaves a lasting imprint.

‘Conviction, Not Formula’

Praising Dhar’s approach, Kher said Dhurandhar stands out because it does not follow a preset formula. He described the filmmaker as fearless and guided purely by belief in the story, rather than convenience or trends.

Addressing the propaganda debate head-on, Kher said similar labels were earlier used against his films The Accidental Prime Minister and The Kashmir Files. He remarked that Dhurandhar delivers a strong rebuttal to such criticism, asserting that audiences—not self-appointed gatekeepers—decide what resonates.

“The film tells them, ‘You will not decide what propaganda is,’” Kher said, adding that public support has effectively silenced attempts to diminish conviction-led storytelling.

Record-breaking run

Released on December 5, Dhurandhar has emerged as the biggest film of 2025, crossing the Rs 1,000 crore mark within 21 days. The spy action thriller stars Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna in pivotal roles and follows the story of an Indian spy operating in Pakistan’s Lyari region.

The film also features Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi. A sequel, Dhurandhar 2, is scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.