Ranveer Singh’s espionage thriller Dhurandhar, which has crossed ₹177 crore in its first week since December 5, 2025, has sparked a wave of celebrity endorsements—but Hrithik Roshan’s review stands out for its balanced bite. On December 10, Hrithik took to Instagram Stories to laud the Aditya Dhar directorial as “amazing” while candidly disagreeing with its political undertones. “I love cinema, I love people who climb into a vortex and let the story take control… Dhurandhar is an example of that. Loved the storytelling. It’s cinema,” he wrote. However, he added, “I may disagree with the politics of it and argue about the responsibilities we filmmakers should bear as citizens of the world. Nevertheless, I can’t ignore how I loved and learned from this one as a student of cinema.”
Hrithik’s Take: Art vs. Agenda
Hrithik’s praise highlights the film’s gripping execution—Ranveer’s intense spy Hamza infiltrating Pakistani terror networks, inspired by real events like the 2001 Parliament attack and 26/11—but questions its narrative slant. “The film sells a fantasy of messiah-like government action,” he implied, subtly critiquing the patriotic fervor that has fueled its success amid India-Pakistan tensions. This comes months after Hrithik’s War 2, part of YRF’s spy universe, faced similar patriotic scrutiny. His words, while appreciative, have ignited debate: Is Dhurandhar bold cinema or biased propaganda?
Akshay Kumar’s Unreserved Applause
Joining the chorus, Akshay Kumar heaped praise on X the same day: “Watched Dhurandhar, and I’m blown away. What a gripping tale, and you’ve simply nailed it, @AdityaDharFilms. We need our stories to be told in a hard-hitting way, and I’m so glad the audiences are giving the film all the love it deserves.” Akshay’s endorsement, from a veteran of patriotic hits like Holiday and Airlift, underscores the film’s appeal as “hard-hitting” storytelling, aligning with its themes of espionage and resilience. The OMG 2 star’s tweet, with over 500K likes, contrasts Hrithik’s nuance, amplifying the divide between unbridled admiration and thoughtful critique.
Online Storm: Patriotism or Politics?
Social media erupted, with Hrithik facing backlash: “Questioning a film on national security? Anti-national much?” one user fumed, while supporters hailed his honesty: “Hrithik’s the only one calling out the agenda—real cinema lover.” Akshay’s post drew cheers: “Bhai’s stamp of approval—Dhurandhar is fire!” The film, starring Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and R. Madhavan, has grossed ₹177.74 crore, but Hrithik’s review highlights the tension between entertainment and ideology in Bollywood’s patriotic wave.
A Debate That Delivers
Hrithik Roshan’s Dhurandhar duality isn’t division—it’s dialogue. As Akshay applauds the action, it thunders: Can art absolve agenda? Their contrasting calls affirm the film’s spark, scripting a saga where praise pierces politics in cinema’s ceaseless clash.
-By Manoj H