The debate around Dhurandhar shows no sign of slowing. Days after popular film critic Anupama Chopra’s review was taken down following backlash online, a wave of Bollywood heavyweights has stepped in to share their own verdicts, with Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan leading the charge.
Akshay Kumar praised the film outright on his social platforms, stating: “Watched Dhurandhar and I’m blown away. What a gripping tale and you’ve simply nailed it @AdityaDharFilms We need our stories to be told in a hard-hitting way and I’m so glad the audiences are giving the film all the love it deserves.”
While Hrithik Roshan offered a more nuanced analysis. The Kaho Na… Pyaar Hai star lauded the film’s cinematic craft but openly stated, “I disagree with the politics.”
Sharing his thoughts via Instagram Stories, Roshan reflected on the film’s intensity and storytelling style.
“I love cinema, I love people who climb into a vortex and let the story take control… Dhurandhar is an example of that. Loved the storytelling. It’s cinema,” he wrote.
In a candid addition, he addressed his reservations:
“I may disagree with the politics of it, and argue about the responsibilities us filmmakers should bear as citizens of the world. Nevertheless, can’t ignore how I loved and learnt from one as a student of cinema. Amazing.”
Roshan followed up with a post expressing his anticipation for the sequel, saying:
“Still can’t get DHURANDHAR out of my mind. @AdityaDharFilms you are an incredible maker man.”
He went on to applaud the cast:
“@RanveerOfficial — the silent to the fierce, what a journey. #AkshayeKhanna has always been my fav and this film is proof why. @ActorMadhavan — bloody mad grace, strength and dignity! But man @rakeshbedi, what you did was phenomenal… what an ACT, brilliant!! A huge big round of applause for everyone, especially the makeup and prosthetics dept! I can’t wait for part 2!!!”
Hrithik’s comments add to a growing list of industry endorsements. Earlier, Akshay Kumar hailed the film’s “hard-hitting story,” while Rakul Preet Singh, Smriti Irani, Anupam Kher and Deepika Padukone have all publicly supported Ranveer Singh’s latest outing.
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar charts the story of Hamza, an Indian spy who infiltrates Pakistan to penetrate Rehman Dakait’s gang. Inspired by real events from the 2001 Parliament attack to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks the film explores the long-standing India–Pakistan conflict through a high-stakes narrative.
Alongside Singh, the ensemble includes Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt and Sara Arjun.
According to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, Dhurandhar is already recording strong box-office returns, signalling that despite divided critical commentary, audience momentum remains firmly in the film’s favour.
