Dhurandhar, the spy action thriller featuring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, and R. Madhavan, was released in theaters on December 5, 2025. Despite the high expectations, the film faced some legal issues prior to its premiere. Fortunately for the filmmakers, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) dismissed a petition from the parents of late Major Mohit Sharma, allowing the movie to continue its release as planned.
In response to the negative buzz surrounding the film, Mukesh Chhabra, the casting director of Dhurandhar, voiced his frustrations on social media. He criticized internet users who labeled the film as “average” before its debut. Speculation surrounding the film’s marketing strategy and the cancellation of its press screening fueled some of the doubters’ opinions, but Chhabra noted that the cancellation was simply due to a technical issue.
Chhabra expressed his disbelief at the negative feedback given that many had not even seen the film. He shared his thoughts online, emphasizing the production team’s confidence in their work and playfully anticipating strong box office results. His comments underscore a wider issue within the film industry, where early judgments can impact a movie’s reception before it even reaches audiences.
Yami Gautam, another notable figure in the industry and married to Dhurandhar’s director, Aditya Dhar, also weighed in on the ongoing conversation regarding negativity and hype in cinema. In her recent film, Haq, Gautam’s performance garnered significant attention, further highlighting her presence in the industry. Ahead of the release of Dhurandhar, she took to Instagram to address the practice of “paid hype” that exists in film marketing. Gautam expressed her concern over how this trend can foster a premature negative atmosphere, undermining the integrity of films and the industry as a whole.
Regarding the storyline of Dhurandhar, early trailers sparked speculation that Ranveer Singh’s character was modeled after the late Major Mohit Sharma. However, director Aditya Dhar clarified that the film is not a biopic. Through a public statement, he confirmed that while there may be some resemblance, Dhurandhar is an original story, and any future biopic about Major Mohit Sharma would be developed with full consent from his family.
As the film continues its run, it will be interesting to see whether audiences align with the filmmakers’ enthusiasm or the critics’ skepticism. With prominent voices like Chhabra and Gautam speaking out, the evolving conversation on film marketing and reception remains critical in today’s cinema landscape. What are your thoughts on the reactions to Dhurandhar?