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Dhurandhar 2, starring Ranveer Singh, has sparked political controversy, with opposition leaders accusing the filmmakers of promoting the ruling party's agenda.
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00:00Hello and welcome to an India Today special broadcast. I'm Gaurav Sawant.
00:05Adit Tadhar's Dhorandhar 2 is breaking box office records, but it is in the eye of a political storm.
00:13Opposition leaders and parties are accusing the filmmakers of peddling the ruling party's political agenda.
00:21From demonetization to demonization of the minority community in the garb of highlighting Pakistan's state-sponsored radical Islamist terror.
00:31But the movie is running to packed holes. Tickets aren't available and the Ranveer Singh starrer has already crossed the
00:40100 crore mark on day one itself.
00:43Dhorandhar, the first part, had crossed the 1,300 crore mark with some experts saying, finally, nationalist cinema has come
00:53of age.
00:54We'll get you more on the debate, but first, we get you this report.
01:09Some films release, some explode. And then there is Dhorandhar, the revenge.
01:15A cinematic cyclone that is tearing through the box office and triggering a political firestorm at the same time.
01:23It was day one and domination done.
01:28Dhorandhar 2 doesn't just open big, it opens historic.
01:53Dhorandhar 2 has reportedly amassed 145.55 crore rupees net and 172.63 crore mark.
02:02Dhorandhar 3 crore rupees gross in domestic market with just two days of its release.
02:08But as the film smashes records, it also shatters the comfort zone.
02:14At the center of the storm, the film's bold portrayal of demonetization as a masterstroke against terror funding using real
02:23footage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
02:36Critics say, this isn't just cinema. It is a selective storytelling.
02:42YouTuber Dhruv Rathi has also slammed the film, calling it blatant propaganda,
02:46while some families and diaspora groups have flagged concerns over alleged misrepresentation.
02:54From the 2014 election victory to the killing of Atik Ahmed,
02:58real events are stitched into the fictional spy thriller, blurring the line between pact and fiction.
03:04Opposition is calling the movie agenda-driven.
03:24While the BJP hits back, defending the movie's intent.
03:30One is surprised to note that there are certain political people or other individuals who are calling it a propaganda
03:36machinery of the BJP.
03:38The BJP does not produce films.
03:40If someone doesn't watch it, want to watch it, that is their individual choice.
03:46So while Jaski Rat Singh Rangi battles enemies on screen, off-screen, Dhurandar 2 is caught in its own crossfire.
03:55Records are breaking, debates are raging and the box office is booming.
03:59The question now isn't just how far the film will go, but how long it can ride this double-edged
04:06storm.
04:16But when real-life moments storm into real space, the impact is anything but ordinary.
04:24From thunderous cheers to viral theatre videos, also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unexpected on-screen presence in Dhurandar,
04:34the revenge that's actually sparked nationwide frenzy.
04:37Here's all that you need to know about this scene that sets social media and the political landscape on fire.
04:58When real meets real power, you know the theatre is about to lose its mind.
05:04And that's exactly what happened when Narendra Modi made a surprise appearance in Dhurandar 2.
05:11Audiences have been reacting with palpable excitement to a couple of unexpected on-screen moments in Dhurandar, the revenge.
05:38The sequel shows excerpts of PM Modi's speeches from two moments of modern Indian history, both in televised format.
05:47The first is his 2014 oath-taking ceremony as Prime Minister, and the second is from his 2016 demonetisation address.
06:04The inclusion of these real-life visuals adds an unexpected layer to the film's narrative, blurring the lines between fiction
06:12and reality.
06:14Unsurprisingly, social media went into a meltdown, particularly over the oath-taking sequence.
06:20As these scenes played out on the big screen, numerous viewers captured and shared the moment online.
06:29Clips have also surfaced on social media, capturing the crowd response in theatres.
06:35In several videos, the audience is seen cheering, whistling and chanting slogans as Modi appears on-screen.
06:51However, some social media users questioned the inclusion of demonetisation references.
07:06Dhurandar, the revenge's release was preceded by controversy as well, with reports suggesting that the Central Board of Film Certification
07:15had recommended multiple cuts before granting the film an A-certificate.
07:20Meanwhile, Dhurandar, the revenge, continues the story of 2025 hit, Dhurandar, headlined by Ranveer Singh, with Rakesh Bedi, Sanjay Dutt,
07:31Arjun Rampal and Sara Arjun in key roles.
07:57The first installment has emerged as Bollywood's biggest hit of all time.
08:21The sequel hit theatres on March 19th in multiple languages, earning 52 crore in paid previews a day before release.
08:34Entertainment Bureau, India today.
08:37Entertainment Bureau, India today.
08:45Entertainment Bureau, India Today.
08:59MITRE стало 166.
08:59And here, THIS Halo, India today.
09:10So, if Pakistan state-sponsored radical Islamist terror is being exposed, why are some upset that it's a narrative that's
09:18being set?
09:19And then there are also those who say, in the name of Pakistan state-sponsored radical Islamist terror, minorities here
09:25are being demonetized and demonetization is being justified.
09:30So, let's get you more on this. Joining me on this special broadcast is Shehzad Poonawala, national spokesperson of the
09:35BJP. Vivek Srivastav is a left leader and a political analyst.
09:39Vivek, what has upset you about the film? What's happened to all that liberal talk? If you don't like a
09:46film, don't watch it or go make another one.
09:49Why are some going red in the face over Dhurandar 2's super success, sir?
09:55It's a BJP story. It's a BJP story of propaganda promoting the prime minister, Nordbandi, which was a big failure.
10:01And secondly, you are trying to target the minorities over here. I mean, Atik Ahmed, yes, a controversial man, a
10:08Bahubali, shot dead by whom?
10:10Some unknown fellow comes up and the man is under the custody of the UP police and he simply shot
10:14dead.
10:16I mean, what are we trying to do? Glorify this? And then was he in touch with the ISI?
10:21Why? Now, when I talk to the media, they say, look, the UP police has got a charge sheet and
10:26the charge sheet says that, yes, he had the legs.
10:28Was it proven? Did the case go to the courts? Was it ever said or you simply make a movie
10:35and you say all is well?
10:37There are Bahubalis in UP and Bihar from every community. I can go to Bihar, Anand Mohan Singh.
10:43You come to UP, you have regions. There are so many of them.
10:47I am for the moment restricting myself to what has come in the film and your objections to that.
10:52Shahzad, respond to Vivek saying that this is a BJP propaganda movie that vilifies one opposition and leaders like late
11:01Atik Ahmed.
11:03Even if the film says Atif Ahmed, it's not even being done subtly. It's like in-your-face propaganda and
11:10justifying demonetization, which Vivek says was an absolute failure.
11:15So, let me unpack each item of outrage by this ecosystem one by one. And, Hazrat, Hazrat, Hazrat, if I
11:23have their permission, let me analyze it.
11:25First of all, they say this is a BJP propaganda movie. So, bashing Pakistani terrorists and showing Indian agencies in
11:33good light is BJP's propaganda.
11:35So, what is Congress's propaganda? Showing Pakistan in good light?
11:38Okay, let's go. Next point. They say that this movie glorifies demonetization. The court has given a verdict.
11:44The people of UP and people of India have given a verdict on demonetization. I think that matters most.
11:48But if you think demonetization had too many perils that need to be dealt with even now, make a film
11:53on demonetization.
11:55I am told Vivek is a very wealthy man. Vivek just found one film against demonetization.
12:00Now, Mr. Vivek Shivastava has said that a very honorable politician, gangster,
12:08Atik Ahmed has not been given this due under the sun. Yeah, because he was giving all his victims the
12:13due under the sun.
12:14But his confession is there that he had links with ISI and NEP. Again, if you think Atik is a
12:20messiah of peace,
12:22Aman ka doot hai, woh shanti ka doot hai, toh make a film you're referring to Atik Ahmed.
12:26But having said that, Vivek Shivastava never outraged when films like Gangs of Vatapur, Satya, Vastav, Company and many others
12:34made on Hindu gangsters.
12:36Or Hindu gangs were made. I mean, there's no Hindu gang and Muslim gang actually.
12:40These are gangsters. These are terrorists. These are people with shady criminal records.
12:44People have made creative films.
12:45But last thing, you know, the entire ecosystem started saying that this movie has been released during Eid only to
12:52create social tension.
12:53Little did they realize that it was not released on Eid. It was released on Hindu nabak.
12:57So now I don't know what argument they will make about that.
13:00But one thing is very clear.
13:02See, the Pakistanis get put up by this movie. I can understand.
13:06How does this movie become anti-Muslim?
13:08Pakistani terrorists are not equal to Indian Muslims.
13:13Unless some want to make that, you know, comparison.
13:19Because Vivek Shivastava, even when original Dhurinder, the first part came out,
13:24I could not understand what was there against Indian Muslims.
13:28If it just exposes Pakistan state-sponsored radical Islamist terror.
13:33Why should any Indian Muslim be upset?
13:35I just want to ask you one question.
13:37For example, a Pakistan ISI network and Havala operators like Javed Khanani,
13:42if they are involved or shown as involved in fake currency circulation in India,
13:47what is wrong if this film depicts it?
13:49There were newspaper reports that seem to indicate Javed Khanani allegedly committed suicide in Karachi,
13:54barely one month after demonetization.
13:56The film claims because he owed a lot of money to Dawud Ibrahim,
14:01he could not pay back that money.
14:03Well, reports say he committed suicide.
14:05The film seems to indicate that he was killed by, you know,
14:09the character being played by Ranveer Singh.
14:11So, why be upset if Pakistan state-sponsored terror is being shown in poor light?
14:16Yeah, there are many things, you know.
14:18One of the fittest people in the Indian news industry today is Chaizat Munnawala.
14:22A very fit man, one of the fittest, I'm telling you.
14:24A very strong man, he goes to the gym.
14:27And now tell me one thing, like, I mean, what will you appreciate more, Gaurav?
14:31Chaizat trying to challenge up somebody who's up to home,
14:33who's also physically fit, who goes to the gym, who's his age?
14:36Or will you be more impressed if he starts beating up some poor fellow sitting on the street,
14:41you know, some half-naked fellow?
14:43Whom will you appreciate?
14:44And this is what we are doing, look.
14:46We don't have the guts to look at the United States eyes to eyes.
14:49We don't have the guts.
14:51We are not brave enough to take a stand.
14:52No, that is your perception.
14:53You don't have the guts.
14:54No, you don't have the guts.
14:56Let me speak, let me speak, let me speak.
14:57No, no, guys, I want to understand.
14:58What do you say if we don't have the guts?
15:00Yeah, I'll tell you why we don't have the guts.
15:02You don't speak a word.
15:04We don't speak a word as a nation.
15:06When Donald Trump says Venezuela oil is made through India, I'll take up confiscation.
15:08What does that have to do with this movie?
15:10No, no, listen to me every day.
15:11You want a movie to be made on Venezuela oil?
15:13No, no, please, please, sir.
15:15No, I don't understand.
15:16I'm asking you a question about Pakistan terror.
15:18Yeah, I'm coming into it.
15:20Why are you giving cover fire?
15:22Are you giving cover fire to Pakistan terror?
15:23Be patient, be patient, sir.
15:25We are all, we are not anti-nationals over here.
15:28You might as well, tell me, my question to you is very direct.
15:31I'm asking you to name and you're telling the number of cars, it's not fair.
15:34Sir, if you wait for one minute or give 40 minutes or give a second, then I can say, sir.
15:38If you're interrupting, then I'll tell you what I'll tell you.
15:41I'm asking you to name and tell you the number of cars, it's not fair.
15:44Tell me, sir, tell me, sir, tell me, sir, you don't have a point.
15:47You just want to tell the government better.
15:49You don't want to tell me.
15:51If you want to tell the government better, you want to tell the government better.
15:53I'm asking you to tell the government better.
15:54So, give me, sir, give me, sir.
15:56You always give Pakistan to the nation as a nation.
15:59Why do we feel up to the mark?
16:01You don't give America.
16:02You're short.
16:28I give the permission to India to buy oil from Russia.
16:33I'm asking you to tell the number, but Shahzad, you wanted to respond.
16:37And that's the point.
16:38Is this the ecosystem that protects Pakistan state-sponsored radical Islamist era for decades?
16:44For decades.
16:45Why didn't the same ecosystem ask Pakistan?
16:48Why was the government, why wasn't Pakistan hit after 26-11?
16:52It's a small country.
16:53It's not your one-fifth, sir.
16:55Shame on us.
16:57It may be shame on you.
16:58It may be, but go ahead.
16:59Shahzad wants to respond.
17:01Maybe on you.
17:03I'm happy Pakistan is being exposed.
17:06Vivek, first of all, when you said about me bashing a half-naked person, I thought for
17:11a moment you referred to a congressman who went at the AI summit.
17:14But then you corrected yourself and you said it was a Pakistani that you're referring to.
17:17Vivek, first of all, I love the fact that you have so much pity in your heart and sympathy
17:21in your heart for Pakistan.
17:23But Pakistan leads my country to terror strikes.
17:26So, who should I make a film on?
17:27And by the way, you're talking about bravado.
17:29Your party's manifesto actually speaks of giving up nuclear arms.
17:34See, your party's official position is that except China, everybody should give up nuclear
17:38arms.
17:38In fact, a movie on China is being made, which is called Matra Bhoomi by Salman Khan.
17:43And you're protested about that also because it's about how we whack the Chinese in Galwan.
17:48You all said that is also BJP's propaganda.
17:50And we did, we are making, actually Salman Khan is making a film on that entire issue
17:54and it is called Matra Bhoomi.
17:56For having said that, just two points, we make just two points.
17:58Point number one, Vivek, it's very calm, I want to ask you, that if this movie is actually,
18:03and Rashid Alvi says, that Pakistan is being shown as a symbol of Muslims, do you believe
18:08that Pakistan represents all Muslims?
18:10Then why are they bombing Afghanistan Muslims?
18:12Why are they the ones who are perpetrating crimes on other Muslims otherwise?
18:15Point one.
18:16Point two, there are Muslims who play Muslim characters of Dawud, Ibrahim and Atik Ahmed in
18:20the film.
18:21Are they also anti-Muslim and only Vivek Shivastav is the biggest Muslim scholar that is in this
18:26country?
18:27Third point to you, Vivek, is that you used to say that the film is only a creative expression.
18:33Freedom of expression only to you.
18:34Ajitya Dhara has made it.
18:36People are buying tickets worth crores of rupees on day one.
18:38They are enjoying it.
18:40What do you want to do, brother?
18:41If you have a problem, then tell you to ask yourself.
18:45I absolutely agree with one point of Shahzad.
18:48He's very clear about it.
18:49And we are very clear about it as leftists.
18:50That freedom of expression should be respected, whether it is a journalist or it's a filmmaker
18:55or it's a musician or somebody who writes lyrics.
18:57No doubt about it.
18:58You want to make this film?
18:59You make it.
18:59There are cuts with the censor board has done.
19:01It's all right.
19:02However, if I'm asked to discuss and you're asked to discuss, I'll simply say you cannot
19:07match the superpowers of the world.
19:09So, you become happy by showing a weak country like Pakistan down.
19:13You think Pakistan is a weak country?
19:16It's a nuclear power state that bled you for 40 years?
19:19Tell me what strong action you took when 2611 happened.
19:23Explain this to me.
19:25I'll tell you.
19:26I'll tell you.
19:26I'll tell you.
19:27When Bangladesh was made...
19:28No, that was 1971.
19:30I'm sorry.
19:30Look, on another show, you may get away with this.
19:33On India first, we truly keep India first.
19:36And I truly want to ask you.
19:37Hold.
19:38166 people were massacred in Mumbai over three days.
19:42There is evidence that Pakistan was guiding that terror attack.
19:45What did he do?
19:46What action did he do?
19:47Strong country has a weak country.
19:49Ended up paying them money.
19:51Ended up accepting, you know, that even Pakistan is a victim of terror at Sharm al-Sheikh.
19:56See, see, come say come, Donald Trump came in 2008.
20:01I mean, in 2008, you won't say it.
20:04No, no, no.
20:05We've died of 66 people.
20:06We've not done the challenge of Americans like you do.
20:09Okay, okay.
20:10We've done it.
20:13Anyway, explain why demonetization had to be brought in Shahzad Poonawala.
20:17It was a failure.
20:17That's the point the opposition makes.
20:19It was a failure.
20:20It cannot be anything is propaganda.
20:22It was a failure, you may glorify.
20:23Because it shows there.
20:26Okay, Shahzad.
20:27Let me address that point first.
20:30Demonetization is something that happens in reality.
20:33A movie is essentially a creative expression of things that may happen in society.
20:38It is presented creatively.
20:39The theme may be real.
20:40For instance, Titanic was real.
20:42But Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio's romance was not real.
20:46Zero Dark Thirty is made on Osama bin Laden being taken out.
20:50But Zero Dark Thirty is a creative expression.
20:52And that too actually features Obama's visuals, if I'm not mistaken.
20:55Under Siege, 1992 film.
20:57I think it features the speech of George Herbert Bush, George W. Bush's founder.
21:02So there are many movies that are made on real issues or real things.
21:05But they have creative liberty.
21:07But my question is...
21:08Just 10 seconds more.
21:09Just 10 seconds more, Leonardo.
21:10Injust me.
21:11I think Vivek's real problem is not Durandar or on the fact that it's Pakistan bashing or whatever.
21:16It's real problem is, it's real problem is that it reflects a new sense of Bharat whose new template of
21:22response is,
21:24And Atma Vishwati Bharat is what they're opposed to.
21:27That's what Durandar is saying.
21:28You know, perhaps over the next several days and Vivek, I'd love to have you back on the show.
21:32But tonight, Vivek, I want you to Google one name.
21:34Javed Khanani.
21:36Javed Khanani is shown in this film as a Pakistani hawala operator who was running that fake Indian currency note
21:43racket.
21:44Javed Khanani.
21:45He committed suicide one month after demonetization.
21:49Do Google why he committed suicide.
21:52What is his connection with Pakistan's ISI and Dawud Ibrahim.
21:55Is this a film that is showing realities and making a film out of some realities of the times?
22:03Well, the jury is still out on this.
22:06As far as people are concerned, they're queuing up to watch this film.
22:10Much more on this on the days ahead.
22:11I'll take Vivek for the film.
22:13I'll take Vivek for the film once again.
22:15Okay, Vivek, he's willing to take you for that film.
22:17Both of you go watch it.
22:18Perhaps we'll have a Durandar 3 soon.
22:21That is all I have for you on India First this evening.
22:23Many thanks for watching.
22:24A quick break.
22:25News and updates continue on India today.
22:27Stay with us.
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