Director Sanjay Gupta faced online abuse after praising Aditya Dhar's "Dhurandhar," a spy action thriller released in 2025. Gupta lauded the film as a "one-man show," specifically applauding director Aditya Dhar's vision and dedication. However, his comment about not being swayed by "propaganda nonsense" sparked a wave of negative reactions.
Gupta initially shared his positive review on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "I finally caught #DHURANDHAR and had a fantastic time. For me, it was a ONE MAN SHOW all the way, and that individual is @AdityaDharFilms. I'm not swayed by any propaganda nonsense. I had a blast watching it in IMAX, especially the music. GREAT JOB & CONGRATULATIONS to the whole team". He also commended the film's distribution, praising Deepak Sharma, CEO Production and Distribution at Jio Studios, and Jyoti Deshpande for backing Dhar's vision.
The controversy arose from Gupta's remark about "propaganda," which some interpreted as an implication that the film contained such messaging. This led to a barrage of online abuse directed at the filmmaker. Gupta clarified his statement, explaining that he meant he did not perceive any propaganda within the film. "I can't believe the whole lot of idiots abusing me for this tweet about #Dhurandhar," Gupta wrote in a subsequent tweet. "What I mean is that I don't think there is any propaganda in the film. Get a life guys". He further emphasized his enjoyment of the film's overall experience, including the music and the team's effort.
"Dhurandhar" is directed, written, and co-produced by Aditya Dhar and stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role, alongside Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R Madhavan, Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, and Rakesh Bedi. The film revolves around an Indian intelligence agent's covert mission in Pakistan, delivering "thrilling action and political drama". It has resonated with audiences and critics alike, earning approximately Rs 239 crore at the box office.
Despite the online criticism, many other film celebrities, including Akshay Kumar and Allu Arjun, have also praised "Dhurandhar" and Aditya Dhar's work. The film's success at the box office and positive reception from a significant portion of the audience indicate its broad appeal, regardless of the debate surrounding Gupta's comments.
The incident highlights the sensitive nature of political discourse surrounding films, particularly those with nationalistic themes. It also underscores the rapid and often harsh reactions that public figures face on social media when their comments are perceived as controversial or unclear. Gupta's experience serves as a reminder of the importance of clarity in online communication and the potential for misinterpretations to escalate into widespread online abuse.
