Actor Naveen Kaushik hits back after Dhruv Rathee calls Dhurandhar 2 brain rot
India Today
Naveen Kaushik responded to Dhruv Rathee's criticism of Dhurandhar 2. He urged audiences not to turn the film into a source of hate despite differing opinions.
The debate around Dhurandhar: The Revenge has intensified after political commentator Dhruv Rathee dismissed the film as “brain rot” and accused it of pushing propaganda. Amid the backlash and divided opinions, actor Naveen Kaushik has stepped in, urging audiences to keep the discourse balanced and not let cinema become a trigger for hostility.
Speaking on a podcast with Hindi Rush, Kaushik addressed the growing criticism surrounding the Aditya Dhar directorial. The actor, who plays Donga in the franchise led by Ranveer Singh, reflected on the larger conversation about politics in films, suggesting that it is almost impossible to separate the two.
He said that every aspect of life is connected to politics, whether at a national level or within interpersonal dynamics, adding that even relationships carry elements of politics. He further noted that politics often exists in subtle ways, and any good film inevitably reflects some form of politics or ideology.
Kaushik also pushed back against the idea that films can be completely neutral, arguing that every story carries a perspective. In his view, branding a film as propaganda often depends on the lens through which it is watched, rather than an absolute truth.
At the same time, he made a strong appeal for responsible engagement with cinema. “Sabke paas freedom of expression hai... aap bol sakte ho, main debate kar sakta hoon. Lekin film ko hate ka source mat banao, violence ka instigator mat banao. Film hai, film ke flow mein dekhiye. Agar kuch seekhne ko milta hai toh le jaiye... bas usko enjoy kijiye (Everyone has the right to express their opinion, but a film should not become a source of hate or violence. It’s a film - experience it as one. Take what you learn from it, and simply enjoy it),” he added.
The controversy was sparked days after the film’s theatrical release, when Dhruv criticised the spy thriller on social media.
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