‘Don’t make it a Hindu-Muslim issue’: Dhurandhar actor reacts to Dhruv Rathee’s propaganda claim, says YouTuber got ‘fame, views’ because of film
During an interview with SCREEN, actor Naveen Kaushik, who played the role of Donga in Dhurandhar, reacted to YouTuber Dhruv Rathee's viral video slamming the Ranveer Singh film.
Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar has taken the box office by a storm since its release, and it has already crossed Rs 900 crore at the box office worldwide. However, the Ranveer Singh starrer has also been receiving backlash for its alleged ‘propaganda’ and ‘agenda-driven’ content. In fact, content creator Dhruv Rathee also criticised the spy-thriller in a recent video on YouTube. Now, actor Naveen Kaushik, who played the role of Donga on Dhurandhar, joined SCREEN for a sit-down interview in Delhi. During the candid conversation, he reacted to a section of people slamming the film, as well as Rathee’s latest viral claims.
When asked if he reflected on the backlash Dhurandhar faced, Naveen said, “When someone criticises your work and you are passionate about it, you should take the opportunity to try and look at it from their point of view. I do feel saddened by the criticism coming this film’s way. Please talk about the way it has been made. If you feel it has been made badly, if it hasn’t lived up to the way the standards of cinema should be, definitely talk about it.”
‘Don’t make it a Hindu-Muslim issue’
He further added, “But, if you are just going to pull out certain aspects and try to manipulate those things into ideology or a propaganda, I don’t think I appreciate that. Some people are trying to make it a Hindu-Muslim issue, but everyone is loving (the film). If it was an agenda driven movie, then there wouldn’t have been Muslim technicians working on the movie.”
The actor further expressed that while he doesn’t agree with Rathee’s thoughts about his film. “He is a very opinionated person and I welcome people who question and challenge. That is supposed to be done and that’s how you improve yourself. I don’t necessarily agree with what he has said about the movie, because I am closely associated with it,” he stated.
Naveen continued, “The video that he has put out a few days ago has had a massive response, he has got a lot of views. So, I want to say you’re welcome. Aapko bhi thoda fame mila (you also got fame). Not that he needed it, but ofcourse talking about our movie is helping his channel as well. And, I have learnt over time that you can’t make everyone happy. Some people are not going to like what you do. If he doesn’t like it, you have all the freedom in this country to have your own opinion about it.”
He was then asked if the team of Dhurandhar expected the criticism, and he replied, “Everyone knew that when you are going to take up such a sensitive topic of India and Pakistan relationship, and you are going to address the incidents of our history, it is going to touch a nerve. A lot of people will try to analyse and dissect it. We knew it will get a lot of eyes, but we also knew that the film, script, and actors are strong. We didn’t know that an entire army of audience will defend us.”
Story continues below this ad
What Dhruv Rathee said about Dhurandhar
Rathee had posted a video on his YouTube channel criticising Dhurandhar. “Director of the film Dhurandhar, Aditya Dhar, has made a false claim and tried to spread nonsense propaganda through his film. Well-made propaganda is more dangerous. Films like The Taj Story and The Bengal Films were not dangerous, kyunki wo bakwaas films thi (because they were bad films). But Dhurandhar is an engaging film,” he had said.
He added, “The problem is that Dhurandhar repeatedly shows you it’s inspired by real events. It says so in the trailer. It shows the real footage from the 26/11 attacks. The real audio recordings of conversations between the terrorists and their handlers have been used. It also uses real-life gangsters and cops based in Pakistan’s Lyari.”
Navya Kharbanda is an Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Commentator at The Indian Express, where she specializes in bridging the gap between classic Bollywood heritage and contemporary Gen-Z perspectives. Her work is characterized by a blend of nostalgia-driven analysis and on-the-ground reporting from major film festivals and industry events.
Experience & Professional Background
Navya is a prominent voice on The Indian Express entertainment desk, known for her ability to secure candid interviews with both legendary veterans and rising stars. Her career highlights include:
The Indian Express: Covers a wide range of topics from high-stakes box office analysis to in-depth celebrity profiles. She is a regular at major events like the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
SCREEN Interviews: Navya has conducted a series of "exclusive conversations" for SCREEN, featuring industry stalwarts like Anupam Kher, Vishal Bhardwaj, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Suhasini Maniratnam.
Archival Reporting: She is noted for her sensitive handling of archival interviews and retrospectives, recently covering the legacy of late superstar Dharmendra and the career reflections of the late Satish Shah.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Navya’s beat is uniquely defined by her "Gen-Z Revisit" series, where she re-evaluates cult classics through a modern lens. Her core areas of expertise include:
Cinematic Retrospectives: Analyzing 80s and 90s landmarks like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and Mohabbatein to explore how themes of romance and rebellion resonate with today’s youth.
Industry Insights: Tracking the career resurgences of actors (e.g., Akshaye Khanna) and the evolving dynamics of film production and distribution in the OTT era.
On-Set Dynamics: Reporting on behind-the-scenes stories from major productions, ranging from the technical challenges of Mirzapur: The Film to the work ethics of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan.
South Indian Cinema: Expanding her coverage to include the impact of regional icons and the rise of pan-Indian fantasy epics like Magadheera.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Navya Kharbanda has established her authority by consistently providing "Journalism of Courage" in the entertainment sphere. Whether she is interrogating the sexism in patriarchal classics or reporting on the fair-pay debates at international film festivals, her work prioritizes factual accuracy and critical objectivity. Her ability to synthesize deep industry history with modern audience trends makes her a trusted source for readers seeking both entertainment news and thoughtful cultural commentary. ... Read More
