R Madhavan on Dhurandhar 2 smoking scene row: No intention to hurt Sikh sentiments

R Madhavan responded to the controversy around a Dhurandhar: The Revenge scene, clarifying that there was no disrespect intended towards the Dasam Granth. The actor called it a misunderstanding.

Dhurandhar: The Revenge has sparked fresh controversy after a complaint was filed over a scene featuring R Madhavan, in which his character is seen smoking while reciting a verse from the sacred Dasam Granth. The sequence drew criticism for allegedly hurting Sikh religious sentiments, prompting the actor to issue a clarification.

Madhavan shared a video message on social media thanking audiences for their support while addressing the backlash. He acknowledged that some viewers were upset with the scene and described it as a misunderstanding.

He said, "Thodi galatfehmi hai. Mujhe pura yakeen hai, yeh scene se pehle, yeh line bolne se pehle Aditya Dhar ji—jo mujhse zyada dhyaan rakhte hain inn sab cheezon ka - mujhe bola tha ki yeh line bolne se pehle, usse bahut pehle aap cigarette bujha dijiyega. Aur na aapke mooh se dhuaan niklega, na hi screen pe kahin dhuaan hoga, nahi aapke haath mein cigarette hogi. Kyunki yeh humaare liye bahut hi pavitra aur paak hai."

Translation: (There’s a slight misunderstanding. I am absolutely certain that before this scene, before saying this line, Aditya Dhar ji - who pays more attention to all these things than I do - told me to put out the cigarette well before delivering this line. So, no smoke would come out of your mouth, nor would there be any smoke on screen, and you wouldn’t have a cigarette in your hand. Because this is extremely sacred and pure for us.)

A post shared by R. Madhavan (@actormaddy)

Madhavan further explained that the cigarette was extinguished well before the recitation. He noted that viewers would not see any smoke in the frame or any continuation of the act during the scene.