Hrithik Roshan's subtle critique of Dhurandhar sparks a crucial conversation about Bollywood's role in shaping perceptions. The star of the jingoistic blockbuster Fighter seems to be reflecting on Dhurandhar, a recent Hindi film that delves into Karachi's Lyari gang wars.
Roshan, in an Instagram post, praised Dhurandhar's cinematic artistry, stating, "I love cinema...Loved the storytelling; it’s cinema.” However, he added a crucial caveat: "I may disagree with the politics of it."
But here's where it gets controversial... Roshan didn't specify which "politics" he disagreed with. This ambiguity raises questions about his understanding of the film's core issue: Bollywood's recurring portrayal of Pakistan as a monolithic terrorist state. This narrative has become both commercially successful and politically convenient in contemporary India.
Dhurandhar's release coincided with heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. The two nations narrowly avoided escalation earlier this year. Given this volatile backdrop, a film reinforcing stereotypes about Pakistani violence isn't just "creative expression"; it's fuel for an already simmering fire.
Roshan also didn't elaborate on the "responsibilities" he believes filmmakers have. Cinema, particularly mass-market Indian cinema, has a global reach and influences sentiments. Films can either build bridges or deepen divides. When real-world hostility, human lives, and two nations with a shared, painful history are involved, the consequences of dehumanizing narratives can be significant.
It's worth remembering that Fighter itself faced criticism for promoting hate and nationalism. This pattern isn't new. Bollywood has increasingly embraced anti-Pakistan and anti-Muslim tropes, as seen in films like The Kashmir Files, Mission Majnu, The Kerala Story, and Fighter. These films have been praised by right-wing circles while drawing condemnation from those wary of the industry's propagandistic turn.
Many individuals involved in these projects haven't just participated in these narratives; they've endorsed them, either actively or implicitly. Anupam Kher's support for The Kashmir Files, Siddharth Malhotra's role in Mission Majnu, and Roshan's own involvement in Fighter have all raised questions about the intersection of Bollywood's creative choices and its political affiliations.
So, what does Roshan's comment on Dhurandhar signify? Did the backlash to Fighter prompt introspection? Has he developed a more critical view of the politics embedded in his industry's storytelling? Or is this a diplomatic move to avoid offending anyone?
And this is the part most people miss... Without a clear stance, we can only speculate. If Roshan truly believes filmmakers have a responsibility "as citizens of the world," that responsibility must extend beyond Instagram posts. It should influence the roles he accepts, the narratives he supports, and the cinema he helps shape, especially in a country of over a billion people, where stories don't just reflect reality, they help create it.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Hrithik Roshan's perspective, or do you have a different interpretation of Bollywood's role in shaping narratives about Pakistan? Share your views in the comments below!
