Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar sparked debate by defending films labeled as “propaganda,” questioning critics while praising Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar series at a Kolkata award event on Sunday .
Akhtar dismissed the term, saying, “I don’t know what you mean by propaganda films. I loved Dhurandhar, which was an excellent film. I loved the first one more than the second.” He argued every story takes a stand, and disagreement from some doesn’t make it propaganda—filmmakers have the right to propagate ideas and present truth. “What is wrong with propaganda films?” he quipped, noting even fairy tales carry ideology.
Directed by Uri fame Aditya Dhar, the Ranveer Singh-led spy thriller hit theaters in December 2025, grossing ₹1300 crore worldwide with slick action and narrative. Its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, shattered records as Bollywood’s first ₹1000 crore net in India and ₹1800 crore globally, featuring Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Sara Arjun. Critics accused it of glorifying the BJP government while downplaying past ones, but Akhtar called it “well-made” and congratulated Dhar personally.
Akhtar’s stance highlights tensions in Indian cinema, where political undertones often divide audiences amid box-office triumphs. He emphasized creative freedom, urging focus on craft over ideological fits. Fans and peers praised his candor, reigniting talks on storytelling versus agenda in post-pandemic hits.
This defense underscores Akhtar’s legacy of bold opinions, from Sholay to modern blockbusters, reminding that cinema thrives on diverse viewpoints.