Tue Mar 24 05:24:37 UTC 2026: ### “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” Sequel Accused of Promoting Narrow Nationalism and Collapsing State-Party Distinction

The Story:
A critical review of the film “Dhurandhar: The Revenge,” published in The Hindu on March 24, 2026, accuses the sequel of being overt propaganda that promotes a narrow, militaristic nationalism aligned with the ruling political party. The review argues that the film rewrites history, particularly regarding demonetization, and encourages a “soldierly masculinity” where violence is seen as the primary means of achieving nationalist justice.

The film’s narrative, featuring a protagonist driven to violence after personal tragedy, is interpreted as a channeling of anger towards external and internal enemies, thus diminishing the importance of socio-economic goals enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The review expresses concern that the film’s success signals a closing of the Indian mind to critical thinking and a normalization of vigilante justice.

Key Points:

  • “Dhurandhar: The Revenge” is criticized for its overt political messaging, favoring the ruling party and blurring the lines between the state and the party.
  • The film is accused of rewriting history, particularly concerning the demonetization policy, and presenting it as a success despite its negative economic and social consequences.
  • The narrative promotes a narrow definition of nationalism centered on violence and the elimination of enemies, both external and internal, such as Khalistanis, Naxalites, and dissenting voices.
  • The film’s portrayal of violence is seen as glamorized and used to build support for vigilante justice, with audience reactions indicating enjoyment of brutal killings.
  • The review argues that the film reduces nationalism to protecting the nation from enemies through violence, overshadowing socio-economic goals and ignoring other forms of violence, like inequality and lack of healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

  • The film reflects a trend in Bollywood towards propagandist productions that promote a specific political agenda.
  • The film’s success indicates a potential shift in public sentiment towards a more narrow and militaristic form of nationalism.
  • The normalization of violence as a means of achieving nationalist justice raises concerns about the erosion of democratic values and critical thinking.
  • The film’s demonization of internal dissenters as terror allies could lead to the suppression of legitimate democratic expression.
  • The film serves as a case study of how cinema can be used to shape national identity and promote a particular ideology.

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