Actor and politician Ravi Kishan has voiced strong support for Aditya Dhar’s blockbuster Dhurandhar: The Revenge, rejecting accusations from some critics that the film serves as propaganda. He called such characterizations unfair and encouraged audiences to back the movie, which he says has significantly benefited the film industry.
The action drama, headlined by Ranveer Singh, recently surpassed the Rs 1,000 crore milestone at the box office on its third Sunday. Even as the film maintains a strong theatrical run, some viewers have dismissed it as propaganda. Responding to these criticisms, Ravi Kishan said that the growing tendency to categorise films in this manner is regrettable.
Labeling it as a propaganda film is completely wrong. Actors from the South have openly supported it, and everyone should do the same. A new trend has begun where people call films propaganda – it’s like they’ve found a new target to latch onto, he told Hindustan Times.
The actor also likened the Dhurandhar franchise to the legendary 1975 film Sholay, noting that movies frequently draw from real-life incidents and portray them in a cinematic way.He further stated that the film’s success is crucial for the industry at a time when cinema is confronting numerous challenges.
The writer draws inspiration from real news and events, and the team brings them to life on screen in a cinematic way. It is encouraging that audiences have started returning to theatres. The industry was in a very bad state; the Bhojpuri film sector had nearly collapsed. This revival has been a blessing for the industry, and hundreds of thousands of people now earn their livelihood through cinema.
He added, "It is crucial for cinema to depict on screen what has happened and is happening in society. In fact, we must also rectify our history through research—restoring those pages that were torn from it. That truth must be brought before the people."
When asked if he felt he had missed out on being part of the film, the actor said he had no regrets and believes that the right roles arrive at the right moment. “I’m sure someone, somewhere is writing a Dhurandhar for me. Whatever is destined for me will come my way; this simply wasn’t meant for me. In the same way, I’m not in one of my favourite films, Gangs of Wasseypur, and I don’t feel any FOMO about that either! But I would definitely like to collaborate with Aditya (Dhar) or Mr (Sanjay Leela) Bhansali, just as I recently got the chance to work with Karan Johar in Naagzilla. So, no regrets,” he said.
He further mentioned that if he had been cast in Dhurandhar, he would have gladly accepted any role, though he was especially fond of Ranveer’s character, Hazma. Professionally, Ravi Kishan is set to appear next in projects including Mirzapur, Naagzilla produced by Karan Johar, Bhai Behen and Peddi with Ram Charan, as well as the forthcoming series TDS.