As Dhurandhar continues its dream run at the box office, the film has found a vocal supporter in Anupam Kher. The veteran actor has openly celebrated Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller, calling its massive success a direct response to those who tried to brand the film as “propaganda.”
For Anupam, the film’s journey isn’t just about numbers — it’s personal, emotional, and deeply satisfying.
“I’m not part of the film, yet I feel immense pride”
Taking to Instagram and X, Anupam shared a heartfelt video message congratulating director Aditya Dhar. Interestingly, he clarified that he has no professional association with Dhurandhar — yet its success has given him unexpected peace.
Speaking in Hindi, Anupam said the film’s box office triumph filled him with calm and pride, adding that some films go beyond commercial success and become landmarks in cinema history.
Rather than analysing technical details or industry impact, he chose to highlight films that changed perspectives — citing classics like The Godfather, Sholay, Mughal-e-Azam, along with his own films such as Saaransh, Lamhe, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, A Wednesday! and Khosla Ka Ghosla.
“These films give a new way of looking at cinema,” he said, speaking as a moviegoer rather than a historian.
Praise for Aditya Dhar’s conviction
Anupam reserved special admiration for Aditya Dhar’s filmmaking approach. According to him, what sets Dhurandhar apart is not a formula or trend, but pure conviction.
He praised Dhar for refusing to follow patterns, calling his courage the film’s biggest strength. He also acknowledged Dhar’s personal background, but made it clear that his respect stems from the director’s fearless creative choices, not identity or circumstance.
“No formula. Just conviction,” Anupam summed it up.
On the ‘propaganda’ label
Addressing the controversy directly, Anupam didn’t mince words. He spoke about a “clique” that, according to him, repeatedly tries to reduce films to political propaganda — something he says he has personally experienced.
He referenced The Accidental Prime Minister, a film that he feels was successfully branded as propaganda by critics, and also mentioned The Kashmir Files, which he believes faced similar attempts.
Calling Dhurandhar’s success a “big slap”, Anupam said the audience has effectively responded to such narratives.
“You don’t get to decide what propaganda is,” he said, adding that art often pushes back when people try to make it “look small for selfish reasons.”
“This year belongs to you”
Anupam ended his message on a warm, celebratory note, telling Aditya Dhar that 2025 belongs to him — not just for Dhurandhar, but also for the impactful films made by his wife Yami Gautam, from Article 370 to Haqq.
The message clearly struck a chord with Dhar.
Aditya Dhar’s emotional response
Reacting in the comments, Aditya Dhar said Anupam’s words left him overwhelmed. Being mentioned alongside landmark films, he wrote, was an honour he doesn’t take lightly.
He especially resonated with Anupam’s line about audiences saying, “Don’t make us feel small,” adding that it reflects exactly why he makes films the way he does.
Dhar promised to continue telling stories that are honest, fearless, and meant to stand the test of time.
About Dhurandhar
Released on December 5, Dhurandhar has emerged as the biggest Indian film of 2025, entering the ₹1,000 crore club within just 21 days. The spy action thriller follows an Indian intelligence operative sent into Pakistan’s Lyari region to infiltrate a powerful Baloch gang.
Ranveer Singh leads the film as undercover agent Hamza Ali Mazari, also known as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, while Akshaye Khanna plays the formidable gang leader Rehman Dakait. The ensemble cast also includes Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi.
A sequel, Dhurandhar 2, is already on the cards and is slated for release on March 19, 2026.
Final words
Whether one agrees with the debates around it or not, Dhurandhar has clearly struck a nerve — with audiences, the industry, and veterans like Anupam Kher. And if box office verdicts are anything to go by, the film has spoken louder than any label ever could.
