Snehashish roy
Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut has once again stirred debate within the Hindi film industry, this time by defending Ranveer Singh amid the controversy surrounding his reported exit from Don 3 and the subsequent non-cooperation directive issued against him by the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). According to Kangana, the backlash against Ranveer may have less to do with professional disagreements and more to do with the themes explored in his blockbuster film Dhurandhar.
Speaking during promotions for her latest film Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata, Kangana was asked why she believed Ranveer had been singled out despite being one of the industry’s biggest stars. Initially reluctant to comment, the actor eventually offered her perspective, suggesting that ideological divisions within Bollywood may have played a role in the criticism directed at him.
Kangana claimed that a section of the film industry has what she described as “Pakistan prem”, or a tendency to portray Pakistan sympathetically in films. According to her, Hindi cinema has spent years promoting narratives that encourage audiences to empathise with Pakistan, and she implied that Dhurandhar challenged that trend.
Her remarks appear to reference the subject matter of Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh. The espionage thriller revolves around covert Indian intelligence operations and features storylines inspired by terrorism, cross-border conflicts and real-world geopolitical tensions involving Pakistan. The film’s narrative centres on a RAW agent infiltrating terror networks and criminal syndicates operating across the border.
Released in late 2025, Dhurandhar emerged as one of the biggest successes in the history of Hindi cinema. The sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, went on to become a record-breaking blockbuster, earning more than ₹1,149 crore at the domestic box office and over ₹1,800 crore globally. The film was widely praised for its patriotic themes, action sequences and Ranveer Singh’s performance.
Kangana suggested that the film’s overtly nationalist tone may have contributed to hostility from certain quarters. Without naming individuals, she hinted that some people within the industry were uncomfortable with narratives that strongly emphasise Indian national interests and security concerns.
The comments come against the backdrop of a prolonged dispute involving Ranveer Singh, Farhan Akhtar and FWICE. The controversy began after reports surfaced that Ranveer had exited Don 3, leading to complaints from the production side about financial losses allegedly incurred during pre-production. FWICE subsequently issued a non-cooperation directive, prompting a legal response from the actor.
Kangana had earlier defended Ranveer and criticised attempts to isolate him professionally. Her latest remarks take that support a step further by suggesting that the controversy may be influenced by broader ideological differences rather than merely contractual disagreements.
Not everyone has agreed with her interpretation. FWICE chief advisor Ashoke Pandit previously dismissed Kangana’s comments on the matter, arguing that the dispute had nothing to do with politics or ideology and was instead centred on professional commitments and accountability within the film industry. He maintained that the federation’s actions were based on specific concerns raised by producers.
Meanwhile, Ranveer’s supporters have pointed to the extraordinary success of Dhurandhar as evidence of the actor’s continued popularity. The film not only revived his box-office standing but also earned praise from filmmakers including Madhur Bhandarkar, who publicly stated that the performance deserved major awards recognition.
Kangana’s remarks have generated strong reactions online, with some users agreeing that Bollywood has long debated how Pakistan is portrayed on screen, while others criticised her for introducing politics into an industry dispute. The comments have also reignited discussions about patriotism, storytelling and ideological divisions within the entertainment world.
Whether her theory gains wider acceptance or not, Kangana’s intervention has ensured that the Ranveer Singh controversy remains firmly in the spotlight. By linking the actor’s troubles to the success of Dhurandhar and its nationalist themes, she has added a new dimension to an already contentious debate that continues to divide opinion across the film industry.