Veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha has waded into the heated national discourse surrounding the Dhurandhar franchise, offering a staunch defense of filmmaker Aditya Dhar. Addressing the critics who have labeled the record-breaking sequel, Dhurandhar 2, as “propaganda,” the “Shotgun” of Bollywood explained why such tags are an unfair dismissal of cinematic craft.
Shatrughan Sinha’s support is rooted in the belief that a film’s success should be judged by its storytelling, not its political alignment. In an interview with News18, Sinha said, “A film is a film. It is a medium of expression, not a tool for propaganda,” Sinha stated. He argued that the label is “unfair” because it ignores the technical brilliance and emotional resonance that have drawn millions to theaters. By calling Aditya Dhar a “role model” for the younger generation, Sinha emphasized that the director’s ability to tap into the national pulse is a legitimate artistic achievement.
For Sinha, the “propaganda” tag is often used as a convenient way to delegitimize films that achieve massive popularity among the general public. He highlighted that cinema has always reflected the sentiments of its time and that filmmakers should have the freedom to tell stories of national pride without being pigeonholed. “Aditya has shown that you can make a high-octane blockbuster that people actually care about,” he added, noting that the craftsmanship speaks for itself.
In a move that mirrors Aamir Khan’s recent viral confession, Sinha admitted that he has not yet watched the sequel himself. However, he clarified that his defense is based on the filmmaker’s reputation and the undeniable impact of the work on the Indian box office. By separating the viewing from the principle, Sinha has shifted the conversation back to the “power of the big screen” and the necessity of protecting artistic freedom from digital-age labels.
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