The makers of Dhurandhar 2 have reacted after a controversy started over alleged hurt to religious sentiments. Director Aditya Dhar shared a clarification after a complaint was filed by a Sikh organisation, which claimed that a scene in the film disrespected the community. The filmmaker said that the viral image being shared online is fake and was created using artificial intelligence to spread confusion.
This Ranveer Singh starrer is currently running strongly in theatres and earning huge numbers at the box office. However, the online controversy has created fresh debate on social media, forcing the makers to respond and explain the situation.
Dhurandhar 2 Controversy: Aditya Dhar Says Viral Image Is Fake
Aditya Dhar shared a long note on social media and warned people not to believe edited visuals. He said, “I am deeply grateful & indebted for the overwhelming love that Dhurandhar The Revenge has received from audiences across the country and the world. However, it has come to my attention that certain individuals are circulating manipulated visuals by morphing officially released promotional material using artificial intelligence to create false and misleading narratives.”
He also made it clear that the image being shared does not belong to the film. He added, “One such fabricated image falsely depicts the character Hamza/Jaskirat smoking while wearing a turban. This is completely untrue and does not form part of the film or any official material released by us. It is a deliberate act of misrepresentation intended to provoke and create mischief,” he added.
The director further said that the film was made with full respect for the Sikh community. He concluded by saying, “Let me state this unequivocally: I hold the highest respect for the Sikh community, and every portrayal in the film has been handled with utmost sensitivity, dignity, and responsibility. Any attempt to suggest otherwise through any doctored content is malicious and dishonest. I urge audiences to rely only on official content and watch the film as it is intended, and not fall prey to AI-generated misinformation being circulated with ulterior motives. Such acts will be dealt with firmly.”
Many users supported the filmmaker after his post. One user wrote, “In fact, Jassi crushes a cigarette box before wearing a Turban. Peak detailing by Aditya Dhar.”
Another commented, “As a Sikh, I noticed he discarded his cigarette before putting on his turban and heading to Punjab.”
A third user said, “Khaali Bartan Zor se bajte hai. They have nothing else to do than be jealous of the master piece you created.”
Sikh Community’s Complaint And R Madhavan’s Clarification
The issue started after a Mumbai-based Sikh organisation reportedly filed an FIR against Ranveer Singh and the makers of Dhurandhar 2. The group claimed that a scene showed R. Madhavan reciting holy lines while smoking, which they said hurt religious sentiments.
R Madhavan later shared a video message to clarify the scene. He said, “Recently, we came to know that some people were hurt because in one scene of the film, while reciting lines from Guru Gobind Singh ji’s Dasam Granth, I was seen smoking a cigarette. I assure you, this is not correct – it is a misunderstanding. Before delivering those lines, Aditya Dhar, who is very mindful about such things, had clearly told me to put out the cigarette. There would be no smoke from my mouth, no smoke visible on screen, and no cigarette in my hand, because this is sacred and pure for us as well.”
He added, “I properly extinguished the cigarette. If you watch the scene carefully, you will see there is no smoke, no trace of it in the frame, and no sign of a cigarette till the end of the scene. We are aware that we should never hurt anyone’s sentiments, even unknowingly.”
About Dhurandhar 2
In Dhurandhar 2, Ranveer Singh plays undercover Indian agent Hamza Ali Mazari, who enters the gangster world of Lyari to break terror networks. In flashback scenes, his character is also shown as a Sikh boy, Jaskirat Singh Rangi, who dreams of joining the Indian Army like his father.
Despite the controversy, the film is performing very well at the box office and has crossed Rs 1,000 crore gross worldwide within just just seven days.
