When a film crosses ₹800 crore in India, conversations are bound to get louder. But in the middle of the roaring success of Dhurandhar, one voice has chosen to cut through the celebration with sharp clarity. Veteran columnist and author Shobhaa De has questioned the carefully built buzz around Akshaye Khanna’s performance in Dhurandhar — calling parts of it “manipulative.”
And just like that, the film’s discourse has taken a fresh turn.
The Hype Around Rehman Dakait
In Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller, Akshaye Khanna plays Rehman Dakait — a ruthless Pakistani gangster operating within Lyari’s criminal networks. The role has been widely praised, especially a dramatic entry sequence set to the track “Fa9la,” which quickly went viral and became one of the film’s most replayed moments online.
Many viewers and critics singled out Akshaye’s controlled menace and theatrical flair. Social media was flooded with edits celebrating his screen presence, with some even declaring him the film’s biggest standout.
But Shobhaa De isn’t entirely convinced by the narrative surrounding that praise.
Speaking on Rediff Originals, she suggested that the impression being created — that Akshaye alone carried the film or emerged as its definitive star — felt strategically amplified.
According to her, elevating one moment, including his dance entry, as the defining highlight seemed like a deliberate push rather than organic appreciation.
Hrithik Roshan’s Political Caveat Sparks Debate
The conversation didn’t stop there. Shobhaa also weighed in on Hrithik Roshan’s widely discussed reaction to the film.
Last December, Hrithik shared a thoughtful Instagram note praising the film’s storytelling while admitting he didn’t agree with its politics. He described the experience as powerful cinema, even as he reflected on the responsibilities filmmakers carry as global citizens.
A few hours later, he returned to social media — including X — to shower appreciation on Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh, calling the filmmaking bold and immersive.
Shobhaa, however, questioned the necessity of bringing politics into the praise. She argued that nobody had asked Hrithik whether he agreed with the film’s ideological stance. In her view, the film’s choreography, music, and casting choices were strong enough to stand independently.
Ranveer Singh’s Commitment and the Propaganda Tag
Beyond the hype debate, Shobhaa described Dhurandhar as an important film — precisely because it doesn’t follow the glossy, fantasy-heavy template often seen in spy franchises.
She was particularly impressed by Ranveer Singh’s commitment to the role of an Indian spy infiltrating terror networks in Pakistan. The transformation, the restraint, and the emotional intensity — she believes — reflect deep dedication.
As for accusations that label the film as propaganda, Shobhaa dismissed them outright, calling such claims childish. For her, Dhurandhar is a cinematic effort that should be viewed through the lens of storytelling rather than political motive-hunting.
The Box Office Phenomenon
Controversy aside, the numbers speak loudly.
Released on December 5, the espionage thriller stormed theatres and quickly rewrote box office history. It has collected over ₹830 crore in India, becoming the first Bollywood film to cross the ₹800 crore domestic milestone. Globally, its earnings have crossed ₹1300 crore, making it the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2025 so far.
The ensemble cast — including Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, and Akshaye Khanna — has been credited for strengthening the narrative’s layered tension.
And the momentum isn’t slowing down. A sequel is already locked for a March 19 theatrical release, suggesting that the Dhurandhar universe is only getting bigger.
Final Words
Dhurandhar may be a box-office juggernaut, but the conversations around it are far from simple.
Between record-breaking collections, viral performance clips, political reflections, and now Shobhaa De’s sharp critique, the film has moved beyond just being a spy thriller — it has become a cultural talking point.
Whether Akshaye Khanna’s hype was natural or carefully constructed may remain up for debate. But one thing is certain: Dhurandhar isn’t fading from public discussion anytime soon.
