Highlights
- Dhruv Rathee says the film’s trailer shows excessive gore
- Compares violent scenes to ISIS beheading videos
- Accuses director Aditya Dhar of glorifying torture for commercial gain
- Calls on the Central Board of Film Certification to review the content
- Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy and releases December 5
Dhruv Rathee calls out violent visuals
Content creator and political commentator Dhruv Rathee has sharply criticised the trailer of Dhurandhar, the upcoming action thriller directed by Aditya Dhar and led by Ranveer Singh. The trailer, which has otherwise drawn strong interest from fans, features intense sequences of torture and bloodshed. Rathee took issue with the depiction, arguing that the level of brutality crosses a line.
Posting on X just hours after the trailer dropped, Rathee wrote that Aditya Dhar had “crossed a limit of cheapness in Bollywood,” referring to the graphic imagery. He compared parts of the trailer to disturbing videos circulated by ISIS, making it clear that he believes the content goes beyond what should be presented as entertainment.
Rathee urges closer scrutiny
Rathee did not limit his criticism to the film alone. He accused the director of glorifying torture for commercial success and said such decisions “poison the minds of the young generation” by desensitising viewers to extreme violence.
He then called on the Central Board of Film Certification to examine the trailer’s violence closely. In a pointed remark aimed at past controversies, he suggested the board must decide whether it is more troubled by displays of affection on screen or by scenes showing a person being “skinned alive.”
Rathee’s posts have sparked conversation not only about the film but also about shifting boundaries of violence in mainstream cinema.
What the trailer shows
Dhurandhar casts Ranveer Singh as an Indian spy operating in Pakistan. The film features Arjun Rampal as an ISI Major, Akshaye Khanna as a Lahore gangster, and performances by Sanjay Dutt and R Madhavan. Two scenes in particular have drawn attention for their graphic nature: one shows Rampal’s character skinning a man alive, while another depicts Khanna’s character killing someone with a stone.
Despite Rathee’s criticism, many online users have praised the trailer’s tone and intensity. Some commented on its dark atmosphere and strong background score, while others urged the CBFC not to cut any scenes for theatrical release.
Film launch and release
The trailer was unveiled at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai, attended by Aditya Dhar, Ranveer Singh and members of the cast. The film also features Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi in key roles.
Dhurandhar is scheduled to open in cinemas on December 5, and the debate surrounding its depiction of violence is likely to continue as the release approaches.
