The newly released trailer for Ranveer Singh‘s upcoming action thriller, Dhurandhar, has sparked a fierce debate over cinema violence, led by prominent YouTuber and social commentator Dhruv Rathee.
Taking to his official X account shortly after the trailer dropped on November 18, Rathee publicly slammed director Aditya Dhar (of Uri fame) for the film’s extreme depiction of gore and torture, which centers on a backdrop of terrorism and is reportedly based on true events.
“Equivalent of ISIS Beheadings”
Rathee did not mince words, arguing that the trailer crossed a line into dangerous territory.
Dhruv Rathee on X: “Aditya Dhar has truly crossed a limit of cheapness in Bollywood. The extreme violence, gore and torture shown in his latest film trailer is the equivalent of watching ISIS beheadings and calling it ‘entertainment’.”
The creator further alleged that Dhar was blinded by a “lust for money” and was “willingly poisoning the minds of the young generation, desensitizing them to gore and glorifying unimaginable torture.”
Rathee also directly challenged the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), urging them to show where their priorities lie: “This is the chance for the Censor Board to show if they have a bigger problem with people kissing or watching someone get skinned alive.”
Online Firestorm and Counter-Reactions
Rathee’s comments quickly went viral, prompting a major online discussion that involved Bollywood figures.
- Ranvir Shorey’s Jibe: Actor Ranvir Shorey entered the discussion with a sharp retort, tweeting, “Buddy, you’re wrong most of the time. But I love how you’ve turned that into a career.” The exchange escalated into a heated online feud between the two public figures.
- Contradiction on Gangs of Wasseypur: Netizens soon pointed out Rathee’s previous praise for the famously violent film, Gangs of Wasseypur. Rathee responded by admitting his views had evolved, stating, “I was wrong; back then I didn’t understand the impact such films have on society.”
- Censor Board Scrutiny: The controversy has only intensified the pressure already being felt by the CBFC, as many fans on social media have simultaneously praised the trailer’s “raw” and “brutal” appeal while expressing fear that the Board will heavily censor the film before its release.
Dhurandhar, which also stars R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, and Sanjay Dutt, is currently slated for a theatrical release on December 5, 2025. Neither director Aditya Dhar nor the film’s lead actor, Ranveer Singh, has yet issued an official response to the public criticism.