Dhruv Rathee Critiques 'Dhurandhar' Trailer; Ranvir Shorey Responds

The trailer for the highly anticipated action thriller 'Dhurandhar', featuring Ranveer Singh, was released recently, generating considerable excitement among fans. However, YouTube influencer Dhruv Rathee's response diverged sharply from the positive reactions of many viewers. Rather than offering praise, Rathee expressed his disapproval of the film's violent content, sparking a significant online discourse.

Criticism of Violent Imagery The trailer opens with a graphic scene that depicts a man undergoing torture, which Rathee found particularly disturbing. He articulated his concerns about the normalisation of violence in cinema, stating that such portrayals could convey harmful messages to the audience. In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), he remarked, "Aditya Dhar has truly crossed a limit of cheapness in Bollywood. The extreme violence, gore and torture shown in his latest film trailer is the equivalent of watching ISIS beheadings and calling it ‘entertainment.’"

Rathee further accused the film's director, Aditya Dhar, of being motivated by financial gain, and suggested that this was an opportunity for the Central Board of Film Certification to reconsider its approach to censorship. He questioned why the board might be more concerned with issues like kissing in films rather than the depiction of severe violence.

Public Reaction and Backlash Following Rathee's comments, social media users recalled his earlier praise for the film 'Gangs of Wasseypur', directed by Anurag Kashyap, which is widely regarded as a significant work in Indian cinema. Many questioned why Rathee had not voiced similar concerns about the violence depicted in that film. In response to this backlash, Rathee acknowledged his changed perspective, stating, "I was wrong; back then I didn’t understand the impact such films have on society."

Ranvir Shorey Joins the Debate The discussion intensified when actor Ranvir Shorey entered the fray, directly responding to Rathee's criticisms. Shorey quipped, "Buddy, you’re wrong most of the time. But I love how you’ve turned that into a career." In retaliation, Rathee referenced Shorey's participation in the reality show 'Bigg Boss OTT', implying that Shorey’s career choices were less than commendable.

Shorey countered by asserting that the conflicts in the reality show were not as contrived as Rathee’s public persona. This exchange further encouraged fans to take sides, with some defending Shorey and others supporting Rathee’s stance on violence in films. Shorey articulated his reasons for engaging in the debate, explaining that he felt compelled to respond due to Rathee's perceived undermining of the film and its creator.

About 'Dhurandhar' 'Dhurandhar', directed by Aditya Dhar, is set to release on December 5, 2025. The film features a star-studded cast, including Ranveer Singh, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Sanjay Dutt. As anticipation builds, the trailer's reception highlights ongoing discussions about the portrayal of violence in Indian cinema and the responsibilities of filmmakers in shaping societal perceptions.