The trailer of Ranveer Singh’s upcoming action thriller Dhurandhar has triggered a heated online debate after YouTube creator Dhruv Rathee criticised its graphic violence, prompting a sharp response from actor Ranvir Shorey. What began as a reaction to a film promo quickly escalated into a broader discussion about censorship, responsibility and public discourse.
Rathee raises concerns over extreme violence
Soon after the trailer released, Rathee said he was disturbed by the opening sequence, which shows a man being tortured with wires inserted through multiple holes in his skin. Calling it “cheap and excessive”, he argued that such scenes normalise brutality.
In a post on X, Rathee wrote that director Aditya Dhar had “crossed a limit of cheapness”, comparing the visuals to extremist execution videos. He also urged the Censor Board to act, saying it must decide whether it has “a bigger problem with kissing scenes or with watching someone get skinned alive”.
Users highlight Rathee’s praise for past violent films
Social media users soon resurfaced an old clip where Rathee praised Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur, questioning his changing standards on violent cinema. Responding to the criticism, Rathee said his views had evolved and admitted he was “wrong” earlier, adding that he now recognises the societal impact such films can have.
Ranvir Shorey jumps into the conversation
The conversation intensified when Ranvir Shorey replied directly to Rathee, remarking, “Buddy, you’re wrong most of the time. But I love how you’ve turned that into a career.”
Rathee responded with a jab referencing Shorey’s Bigg Boss OTT stint, saying it was “better than doing fake fights for a livelihood”. Shorey countered that the reality show’s fights were “not half as fake” as the creator himself, telling him to “lage raho”.
Fans quickly split into camps, with some urging Shorey to disengage while others accused Rathee of attempting to “sabotage” a film. Shorey later said he stepped in because Rathee’s comments were unfair to the filmmaker.
About Dhurandhar
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh in the lead. The cast includes Sara Arjun, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna and Sanjay Dutt. The film is slated for release on 5 December 2025.
Conclusion
The clash underscores how film discussions in India increasingly spill into cultural and political territory, especially when major influencers and actors collide. Whether the controversy affects the film’s prospects remains to be seen, but Dhurandhar has already become one of the most talked-about releases of the season.