Modi Backs Dhurandhar 2 as Opposition Cries Propaganda, Prakash Raj Hits Back

What started as entertainment has turned into a full-blown political battleground. While Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge storms past ₹1500 crores worldwide, becoming only the fourth Indian film to reach this elite club, the real drama is playing out in political circles where Prime Minister Narendra Modi has thrown his weight behind the controversial spy thriller.

Speaking at a public rally, Modi delivered a blistering defense of Dhurandhar 2 alongside other contentious films like The Kerala Story and The Kashmir Files. His message was crystal clear: these aren't propaganda pieces, but mirrors reflecting uncomfortable truths that certain sections refuse to acknowledge. The PM's direct intervention signals just how deeply cinema has penetrated the political discourse, with entertainment becoming a weapon in ideological warfare.

The timing couldn't be more charged. While the film grossed over ₹1000 crore within a week and currently ranks as the fourth-highest-grossing Indian film of all time, critics have slammed it for alleged nationalist propaganda and Islamophobia. What makes this even more remarkable is that unlike Baahubali 2 and Pushpa 2, Dhurandhar 2 has achieved these numbers without the Gulf and China markets: territories where the film remains banned.

Actor Prakash Raj wasted no time in responding to Modi's endorsement, tweeting that the PM has shifted "from selling tea to selling films," a pointed reference that highlights the deep political fissures this controversy has exposed. His comment reflects the broader opposition sentiment that these box office juggernauts are less about storytelling and more about political messaging.

What's fascinating is how international critics have universally panned the film while Indian reviewers remain positive, suggesting that the film's appeal is deeply rooted in domestic sensibilities and political leanings. The fact that it's become the highest-grossing Indian film in North America with $25+ million proves that nationalist cinema has found its global Indian diaspora audience.

For the industry, this represents a watershed moment. When the country's Prime Minister publicly backs specific films against criticism, it redefines the relationship between politics and popular culture. Whether you see it as validation of truth-telling cinema or dangerous precedent of state endorsement, one thing is undeniable. Dhurandhar 2 has become more than entertainment. It's a political statement that's raking in historic numbers at the box office.