'What is wrong with propaganda films?': Javed Akhtar backs Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar amid debate. Says he preferred first one over Dhurandhar 2

Director Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has scripted history at the global box office, emerging as the second-highest-grossing Indian film after Dangal and surpassing Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. The Ranveer Singh-starrer, which released on March 19, 2026, has completed a 46-day run and is currently in its eighth week in theatres. Amid its massive success, the film has also sparked a debate, with some labelling it as a "propaganda" movie, a claim that has now drawn a response from veteran screenwriter-lyricist Javed Akhtar.

Javed Akhtar on Dhurandhar being called 'propaganda' movie

Javed Akhtar was recently spotted at an event in the city, where he was honoured with a special award by a jewellery brand. During his interaction with the media, he was asked about the ongoing conversation around Dhurandhar being described as propaganda. Responding to the question, Akhtar appeared to challenge the very definition of the term.

According to PTI, he said he does not quite understand what people mean when they call a film propaganda. He added that he thoroughly enjoyed Dhurandhar, describing it as an excellent film, though he personally found the first instalment more appealing than the sequel.


Expanding on his views, Akhtar pointed out that "Every story takes a stand, but does it become propaganda because the narrative doesn't suit a section of the audience? Everyone has the right to propagate their ideas. What is wrong with propaganda films? The task of every filmmaker is to present the truth."

He further explained that storytelling, even in genres like fantasy, often carries underlying ideas or messages. According to him, it is the filmmaker’s responsibility to present what they believe is the truth, while audiences are free to interpret it in their own way and attach labels as they see fit.

More about Dhurandhar franchise

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar 2 continues to perform strongly at the box office. The film has not only achieved record-breaking numbers but has also contributed to the overall success of the Dhurandhar franchise, which has now crossed the Rs 3000 crore mark worldwide, a first for any Indian film series.

The film features an ensemble cast including Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, and Sara Arjun, among others. Backed by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, the film’s scale and performances have been widely discussed by audiences and critics alike.

Adding to its momentum, the makers have also announced an international release. After its successful run in India, Dhurandhar is now set to hit theatres in Japan on July 10, 2026, marking another significant milestone in its journey. While the film saw a slight dip in daily collections recently, even falling below the Rs 1 crore mark on some days, it has now gone on to beat the lifetime record set by Baahubali 2, despite competition and buzz around other releases. Stay tuned!