'Bollywood Film 'Dhurandhar' Under Legal and Public Scrutiny Before Release'
The Bollywood film Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar and featuring Ranveer Singh, is embroiled in controversy shortly before its scheduled release on December 5, 2025. This fictional spy thriller, which has a runtime of approximately three hours and five minutes, includes a cast of Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun. The story revolves around undercover operations, counter-terrorism, and action-packed sequences within a world of espionage and violence. However, the film faces legal challenges due to claims of unauthorized use of real-life inspirations, excessive violence, and potential national security concerns.
Legal Action from Major Mohit Sharma's Family
The controversy primarily arises from a lawsuit filed by the family of the late Major Mohit Sharma, an Ashoka Chakra and Sena Medal awardee from the Indian Army's Para Special Forces. Major Sharma was killed in 2009 during counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, where he operated under the alias Iftikhar Bhatt. On November 28, 2025, his parents petitioned the Delhi High Court to halt the film's release immediately.
The family claims that Dhurandhar draws heavily from Major Sharma's life and actions without their consent or that of the Indian Army. They allege that the film's plot, military settings, character portrayals, and trailer footage strongly reflect real events from his career. The lawsuit argues that this unauthorized representation infringes on Major Sharma's posthumous personality rights under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which safeguards privacy, dignity, and emotional well-being. Additionally, the family warns that the film's depiction of sensitive military tactics necessitates approval from the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI).
The lawsuit names several respondents, including the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the ADGPI, the Indian Army, director Aditya Dhar (also a co-producer), and Jio Studios with its chairman. The family seeks to delay the film's release, request a private screening for assessment, and urge a court directive for future films portraying real-life military martyrs to obtain permissions from their legal heirs and the Indian Army. The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the case soon, potentially affecting the film's release plans.
Director's Clarification and Response
In response to the legal issues, director Aditya Dhar issued a statement clarifying that Dhurandhar is a fictional work not based on Major Mohit Sharma's life. This announcement followed inquiries from Major Sharma's brother, Madhur Sharma, on social media. Dhar stated, "Our film Dhurandhar is not based on the life of braveheart Major Mohit Sharma AC(P) SM. This is an official clarification." He also assured that any future biopic on Major Sharma would be created with the family's consent and collaboration, honoring his legacy and national sacrifice.
Dhar's earlier films, such as Uri: The Surgical Strike and Article 370, have often been inspired by real geopolitical events, possibly fueling assumptions about Dhurandhar's origins. Despite Dhar's denial, the film's trailer sparked online discussions linking Singh's character, an undercover RAW agent named Hamza, to Major Sharma's experiences.
Criticisms of Violence and Political Portrayals
Dhurandhar has also been criticized for its intense violence and perceived political biases. Popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee criticized the trailer, comparing its violent scenes to "watching ISIS beheadings" and accusing Dhar of being motivated by profit. This critique is part of a broader debate over the portrayal of violence in Bollywood films, positioning Dhurandhar alongside other films criticized for excessive gore.
The film's portrayal of real Pakistani figures and events has also drawn attention. Characters appear to draw inspiration from figures such as Chaudhry Aslam Khan, a Pakistani police officer portrayed by Sanjay Dutt; Rehman Dakait, a Karachi gangster played by Akshaye Khanna; and Major Iqbal, allegedly linked to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, played by Arjun Rampal. R. Madhavan's role as Ajay Sanyal reportedly mirrors India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Critics argue these depictions push political narratives, with some suggesting the film acts as a "psy ops" tool potentially straining India-Pakistan relations. There are also accusations that Dhurandhar borrows elements from the Pakistani film Chaudhry, which also explores Karachi's gangsters and political dynamics.
Public and Industry Reactions
Public discourse on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit shows divided opinions. Some viewers commend the film for its character complexity, intense drama, and deviation from typical spy narratives, considering it a potential challenger to Yash Raj Films' (YRF) spy universe, which includes franchises like Tiger and Pathaan. A Reddit discussion suggests YRF may be conducting negative PR against Dhurandhar due to competitive concerns, although most dismiss this as speculative, attributing YRF's challenges to internal creative issues and recent underperforming releases like Tiger 3 and War 2.
Conversely, critics view the film as overly nationalistic or "Sanghi" propaganda, criticizing its marketing tactics for allegedly undermining competitors like YRF's spy films and Ranbir Kapoor's Animal. Rathee's criticism has ironically increased interest among some audiences, who see it as endorsing the film's daring themes. There are also reports that the trailer release was postponed following a tragic incident in Delhi, due to sensitivities surrounding its terror-related themes.
Implications for the Film's Future
As Dhurandhar navigates these controversies, industry analysts predict a moderate opening of around 20 crore rupees, potentially impacted by limited screen availability if competing films like Tere Ishk Mein succeed. The controversies highlight ongoing tensions in Bollywood regarding the balance between creative freedom, respect for real-life figures, and ethical portrayals of sensitive geopolitical issues. With the court hearing approaching, the film's future remains uncertain, but its themes of sacrifice and espionage continue to provoke discussions on the sacrifices made by India's unsung heroes.
