The upcoming Bollywood film Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh in the lead role, has become the center of significant controversy just days before its planned theatrical release on December 5, 2025. The movie, described as a fictional spy thriller, features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun. With a runtime of approximately three hours and five minutes, the narrative focuses on intense undercover operations, counter-terrorism efforts, and gritty action sequences set against a backdrop of espionage and violence. However, allegations of unauthorized use of real-life inspirations, excessive depictions of brutality, and potential national security implications have thrust the production into legal and public scrutiny.
Legal Action from Major Mohit Sharma’s Family
The primary controversy stems from a lawsuit filed by the family of the late Major Mohit Sharma, an Ashoka Chakra and Sena Medal recipient who served in the Indian Army’s Para Special Forces Regiment. Major Sharma was killed in action in 2009 during a counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir, where he had infiltrated terrorist groups under the alias Iftikhar Bhatt. His parents, Sushila Sharma and Rajendra Prasad Sharma, approached the Delhi High Court on November 28, 2025, seeking an immediate stay on the film’s release.
In their petition, the family asserts that Dhurandhar draws directly from Major Sharma’s life, covert operations, and ultimate sacrifice without obtaining consent from them or the Indian Army. They argue that elements such as the storyline, military settings, character designs, and trailer footage “unmistakably mirror” real events from his career, including infiltration strategies and operational procedures. The lawsuit claims this unauthorized portrayal violates Major Sharma’s posthumous personality rights under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which protects the right to privacy, dignity, and emotional security. Furthermore, the family raises concerns about national security, alleging that the film depicts sensitive military tactics that could require approval from the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI).
The respondents named in the petition include the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the ADGPI, the Indian Army, director Aditya Dhar (who also serves as co-producer), and producer Jio Studios along with its chairman. The family has requested temporary relief in the form of a postponed release, a private screening for review, and a broader court directive mandating that future films portraying real-life military martyrs must secure permissions from the martyrs’ legal heirs and the Indian Army. The Delhi High Court is anticipated to schedule a hearing on the matter in the coming week, potentially impacting the film’s distribution plans.
Director’s Clarification and Response
In response to the speculation and legal action, director Aditya Dhar issued an official clarification, emphasizing that Dhurandhar is a work of fiction and not based on Major Mohit Sharma’s life. This statement came after Major Sharma’s brother, Madhur Sharma, publicly queried Dhar on social media regarding potential inspirations. Dhar stated, “Our film Dhurandhar is not based on the life of braveheart Major Mohit Sharma AC(P) SM. This is an official clarification.” He further assured that any future biopic on Major Sharma would be produced with full consent and in consultation with the family, ensuring it honors his legacy and national sacrifice.
Dhar’s previous works, such as the critically acclaimed Uri: The Surgical Strike and Article 370, have often drawn from real geopolitical events, which may have fueled assumptions about Dhurandhar‘s origins. Despite the denial, the trailer’s release sparked widespread online discussions linking Singh’s character, Hamza—an undercover RAW agent—to Major Sharma’s exploits.
Criticisms of Violence and Political Portrayals
Beyond the lawsuit, Dhurandhar has faced backlash for its graphic content and alleged political biases. Prominent YouTuber Dhruv Rathee condemned the trailer, likening its violent scenes to “watching ISIS beheadings” and accusing Dhar of being “driven by lust of money.” Rathee’s critique highlights a broader debate on the portrayal of violence in contemporary Bollywood films, positioning Dhurandhar alongside other titles criticized for excessive gore.
Additional scrutiny surrounds the film’s depictions of real Pakistani figures and events. Characters appear inspired by Chaudhry Aslam Khan (a Pakistani police officer known for combating terrorism, portrayed by Sanjay Dutt), Rehman Dakait (a notorious Karachi gangster, played by Akshaye Khanna), and Major Iqbal (allegedly involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, enacted by Arjun Rampal). R. Madhavan’s role as Ajay Sanyal is reportedly based on India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Critics argue these portrayals propagate political narratives, with some alleging the film is a “psy ops” tool that could strain India-Pakistan relations. Furthermore, accusations have emerged that Dhurandhar copies elements from the Pakistani film Chaudhry, both centering on Karachi’s gangsters and political intrigue.
Public and Industry Reactions
Public discourse on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit reflects polarized views. Some users praise the film for its character depth, intense drama, and departure from clichéd spy tropes, viewing it as a potential disruptor to Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) spy universe, which includes franchises like Tiger and Pathaan. A Reddit thread suggests YRF may be orchestrating negative PR against Dhurandhar due to competitive fears, though commenters largely dismiss this as unsubstantiated, attributing YRF’s challenges to internal creative issues and recent flops like Tiger 3 and War 2.
Conversely, detractors label the film as overly nationalistic or “Sanghi” propaganda, criticizing its promotion tactics for allegedly degrading competitors like YRF’s spy films and Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal. Rathee’s criticism has ironically boosted interest among some audiences, who see it as validation of the film’s bold themes. Reports also indicate the trailer release was delayed following a tragic incident in Delhi, due to sensitivities around terror-related themes.
Implications for the Film’s Future
As Dhurandhar navigates these challenges, industry analysts predict a modest opening of around 20 crore rupees, potentially affected by limited screen availability if competing films like Tere Ishk Mein perform strongly. The controversies underscore ongoing tensions in Bollywood regarding the balance between creative freedom, respect for real-life figures, and ethical portrayals of sensitive geopolitical issues. With the court hearing looming, the film’s fate remains uncertain, but its narrative of sacrifice and espionage continues to spark debate on the sacrifices of India’s unsung heroes.
