Hritik Roshan described Dhurandhar as powerful cinema driven by artistic conviction, while noting that its ideological framing raised questions that merit public discussion.
By PC Bureau
December 11, 2025: Hrithik Roshan on Thursday praised Aditya Dhar’s latest film Dhurandhar even as he expressed discomfort with what he described as its political undertones. The espionage thriller, which hit theatres on December 5, is set in the late 2000s and offers a fictionalised account inspired by India’s covert operations targeting terror networks in Pakistan.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film features Ranveer Singh as Hamza, an undercover Indian intelligence operative tasked with infiltrating the gang of Pakistani criminal-turned-terror associate Rehman Dakait. The plot explores the mechanics of surveillance, infiltration, and insurgent networks, blending real-world references with fictional dramatization.
Hrithik shared his reaction on Instagram, praising the film’s craft and emotional intensity. “I love cinema, I love people who climb into a vortex and let the story take control, spin them, shake them,” he wrote. “Dhurandhar is an example of that. Loved the storytelling. It’s cinema.”
#HrithikRoshan On #Dhurandhar Film
I completely disagree with the politics of Dhurandhar. At some point, filmmakers must realise that their influence comes with responsibility… not just as artists, but as citizens of the world.
In an industry where most choose silence, Hrithik… pic.twitter.com/GabW23mTEV
— Vishwajit Patil (@_PatilVishwajit) December 11, 2025
However, he followed the praise with a candid caveat: “I may disagree with the politics of it and argue about the responsibilities us filmmakers should bear as citizens of the world. Nevertheless, I can’t ignore how I loved and learnt from this one as a student of cinema.” His remarks echoed an ongoing national debate around cinematic portrayals of terrorism and patriotism.
Hrithik’s comments came hours after Akshay Kumar also endorsed the film. Calling Dhurandhar “a gripping tale,” Akshay wrote on social media: “You’ve simply nailed it, @AdityaDharFilms. We need our stories told in a hard-hitting way, and I’m glad audiences are giving it the love it deserves.”
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Actor and Union minister Smriti Irani offered one of the most striking responses, connecting the film’s themes to real-life tragedies and security experiences. In her detailed note, she wrote that those who have witnessed the fallout of terror—wives of fallen soldiers, displaced families in Jammu, abandoned shrines in Kashmir, or the aftermath of the 2001 Parliament attack and the 26/11 Mumbai assault—would not find the film’s intensity exaggerated.
“Dhurandhar isn’t just a film—it’s the echo of lives lived and lost,” she wrote. She also praised R. Madhavan, who plays a character inspired by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, saying that only an actor of his calibre could “hold a storm within” while portraying such a figure.
Smriti concluded by thanking security personnel and their families: “To the men and women known and unknown who have died defending us… our nation holds you in high esteem and is forever in your debt.”
The film, featuring an ensemble cast including Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi, has drawn strong political reactions and intense public interest. Trade analysts note that its box-office performance has been buoyed by endorsements from high-profile actors and political figures.
Meanwhile, Aditya Dhar has announced that a sequel to Dhurandhar is scheduled for release on March 19 next year, continuing the narrative arc that has ignited both appreciation and debate.
