Dhurandhar: Patriotic Spy Thriller Amid Legal Turmoil

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 2: Few films carry the weight of public expectation and legal scrutiny quite like Dhurandhar. As the espionage thriller gears up for its December 5 release, the conversation around it has expanded far beyond cinema. What began as a high-stakes spy film has evolved into a national debate over creative liberties, ethics, cultural representation and the fine line between fiction and real-life heroism.

A High-Octane Spy Thriller with a Stellar Cast

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar positions itself as a gritty, large-scale espionage drama led by Ranveer Singh. The ensemble cast — including Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal — sets the tone for a film rooted in covert missions, intelligence manoeuvres and the complexities of modern warfare.
The dark palette, visceral action and raw tone of the trailer reinforce its identity as a film not intended for light viewing. Yet its cinematic ambitions have been overshadowed by comparisons to a real-life hero.

The Legal Storm: Fiction vs. Perceived Reality

Soon after the trailer’s release, speculation intensified that the protagonist resembled Major Mohit Sharma, the decorated Ashoka Chakra awardee known for his undercover operations in Kashmir. His family filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, alleging that the film exploited elements of his life without consent.

This prompted a detailed review by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Following scrutiny, the board clarified that Dhurandhar is “entirely fictional” and bears no direct resemblance to Major Sharma’s life or service history. The film was cleared with an adult certification and standard edits.

Director Aditya Dhar reiterated that any biographical project on Major Sharma would only be made with full participation and approval from the family.
Despite the clarification, discussions around ethical responsibility continue to dominate public sentiment.

Cultural Controversy: A Parallel Firestorm

Adding to the film’s pre-release turbulence, Ranveer Singh recently faced backlash for reenacting a ritualistic performance at a film festival during a tribute segment. The portrayal was deemed insensitive by several community groups, leading to a police complaint. Although the actor issued an apology, the incident has fed into the heightened scrutiny surrounding Dhurandhar and its promotion.

Strengths Working in Dhurandhar’s Favour

Despite the noise, several factors signal strong commercial potential:

• Robust advance bookings, indicating sustained audience curiosity.

• Epic runtime of 214 minutes, positioning it among the longest Hindi films in recent decades and suggesting a layered, ambitious narrative.

• Star-driven appeal, bolstered by an ensemble cast known for intensity and presence.

If executed well, Dhurandhar could redefine the scale and tone of Bollywood spy thrillers.

But Risks Remain

The film walks a tightrope between spectacle and sensitivity. Concerns persist about:

• Ethical boundaries in using themes linked to national martyrs.

• The potential for “sensationalism masked as realism.”

• Narrative pacing risks are associated with an extended runtime.

• Volatility of public sentiment, amplified by ongoing controversies.

A Larger Moment for Bollywood

More than a movie, Dhurandhar has become a case study in modern filmmaking — where creative freedom, accountability, cultural nuance and instant digital reactions coexist in tension. Its box-office fate may reflect not just audience taste, but the evolving expectations placed on contemporary Indian cinema.

As December 5 approaches, industry observers will closely monitor audience response, word of mouth, social media commentary and the interplay of backlash versus box-office pull. Dhurandhar now carries the burden of proving that ambition, sensitivity and commercial cinema can coexist without unravelling.

PNN Entertainment