The new video by YouTuber and commentator Dhruv Rathee has sparked new controversy over the blockbuster film Dhurandhar, claiming it is dangerous propaganda. The comments follow the fact that the movie continues to rule at the box office, where it has broken numerous records and attracted large numbers of people around the country.
The movie, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Vicky Kaushal, has turned out to be one of the largest commercial hits of recent times, notwithstanding harsh political and artistic criticism.
Rathee Says Movie Drives Political Story
Rathee alleged in his video to millions of his followers that the film propagates a politically driven, misrepresented version of history and that its message might lead to the normalisation of polarisation. He urged people to wonder what they are seeing and he charged the originators with blurring the line between the facts and the fiction to gain political advantage.
He alleged that the scenes and narrative decisions seem to be made with the idea of supporting the messaging by the government – an argument that swiftly elicited responses, both favorable and unfavorable, among those who like or dislike the channel.
Social media caused a heated exchange of words between the followers of Rathee, who was a follower of the video and movie fans, within hours after the video went viral.
Film Reject Claims Supporters
The comments made by Rathee were criticised by fans and various figures in the industry, which were dismissed as politically coloured. It was contended by many that Dhurandhar is an art piece and is to be perceived as a dramatic entertainment and not a historical piece.
Directors of the film never made a new statement, but earlier they had justified the project as a fictionalised cinematic experience. The film industry experts explain that the scandal can drive the commercial performance further since it creates discourse and publicity.
Setting Box Office Records
In the meantime, there has been an incredible momentum of Dhurandhar in India and the foreign markets. The movie started off strongly in multiplex chains and single-screen theatres in the third week, and it remains the best option in a number of areas.
Cinemas in Jammu & Kashmir, such as the Shopian and Pulwama, have reported full houses- something that happens uncommonly in the districts with a small exhibition infrastructure. Distributors and theater owners reported a surge in local attendance, indicating a backlog of theatrical releases.
According to trade experts, collections of the film can only increase more as the holiday season draws closer and the number of screens does not go down.
Controversy Reflects Broad National Separation.
The remarks made by Rathee are an addition to a polarised cultural environment, in which movies, books, and personalities become objects in bigger political discussions. According to proponents of Rathee, there is a need to have healthy criticism in a period in which mass media has a huge influence.
Critics argue that labeling movies as propaganda is an attack on the freedom of art and is a demeaning attitude towards the audience.
The scandal also indicates the change in audience behaviour: statistics reveal that younger viewers are watching both movies and commentary with the same intensity, and are creating opinions in social media first, before going to the theatres.
More Reactions Expected
There is no chance that the YouTuber will take back his comments and has already indicated that he might analyze it in future videos. The supporters of the movie add that they will go on with the fight against what they perceive to be unjust criticism.
As the commercial performance of Dhurandhar shows that there has been no indication of it becoming a sluggish movie, analysts believe that the cultural discourse that the movie will live on even after it leaves theatres.
In the meantime, the conflict between the blogging commentary and the spectacle of the cinema screen has ensured that the movie remains at the centre of national discussion, not just on the big screen but also online.
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