Actor R Madhavan has responded to criticism of Dhurandhar, particularly the film’s “propaganda” label, questioning why portraying Indian identity, patriotism and cultural values on screen should automatically be viewed through a political lens. The actor said he does not understand what is wrong with being “overly Indian” and maintained that his responsibility as an actor is to portray characters and stories honestly.
Speaking to Galatta Plus, Madhavan addressed the criticism surrounding Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar and its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The films have received polarised reactions, with some viewers praising their action and storytelling while others have accused the franchise of promoting a political narrative. Madhavan, who plays an important role in the film, rejected the idea that showcasing Indian identity automatically makes a film propaganda.
“I don’t understand how being an Indian can be seen as a wrong thing,” Madhavan said while discussing the criticism. He also questioned what critics meant when they described his portrayal as being “overly Indian”. According to the actor, displaying aspects of Indian identity should not be treated as a political statement simply because the character expresses strong national or cultural sentiments.
Madhavan further pointed out that Dhurandhar is set partly in Pakistan and argued that the film does not present the neighbouring country in an entirely one-dimensional manner. He said the story depicts both positive and negative aspects, just as stories set in India can portray both good and bad characters. For him, this complexity challenges the argument that the film is simply a propaganda vehicle.
The actor also drew a parallel with his directorial film Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, based on the life of scientist Nambi Narayanan. Madhavan said that portraying a real person honestly requires showing all aspects of that individual’s personality, including his beliefs and religious practices.
He explained that Narayanan was someone who visited temples, while another historical figure he has portrayed, engineer and inventor G D Naidu, was an atheist. Madhavan argued that an actor cannot selectively remove such characteristics merely because audiences might interpret them politically. “I am an actor, and my job is to portray things as they are,” he said.
Dhurandhar has attracted both commercial success and criticism, with some viewers arguing that its depiction of political events and national security themes favours a particular ideological perspective. Others have defended the film as a work of fiction that is entitled to explore patriotic themes.
The actor has previously faced similar criticism over his public image and social media activity. In a separate interaction, Madhavan addressed being labelled a “Sanghi”, saying his patriotism comes from his upbringing and should not automatically be equated with allegiance to a particular political party or ideology.