Story perspectives

Dhurandhar Sparks Debate on Patriotism and Jingoism

12/19/2025

Summary

Story summary

The Hindi film Dhurandhar portrays a spy infiltrating a Pakistani terror network, sparking debate.
Critics call it 'government-embedded filmmaking' reflecting the regime's narrative.
Some fans view it as a patriotic depiction of real events.
Others see it as a continuation of Bollywood's jingoistic tendencies.
Its success highlights issues in Bollywood filmmaking, as aestheticized violence resonates more than earlier narratives and aligns with Hindu nationalism and government policies.

History

Historical Context

In 1991, India's economic liberalization under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao transformed Bollywood, fostering commercialization and nationalistic narratives. This shift is evident in films like "Hindustan Ki Kasam." Today, "Dhurandhar" continues this trend, depicting a spy infiltrating a Pakistani terror network, which raises concerns about the influence of government narratives on public perception and national identity in contemporary cinema.

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Story summary

The Hindi film Dhurandhar portrays a spy infiltrating a Pakistani terror network, sparking debate.
Critics call it 'government-embedded filmmaking' reflecting the regime's narrative.
Some fans view it as a patriotic depiction of real events.
Others see it as a continuation of Bollywood's jingoistic tendencies.
Its success highlights issues in Bollywood filmmaking, as aestheticized violence resonates more than earlier narratives and aligns with Hindu nationalism and government policies.

1 / 2