Dhruv Rathee Vows to ‘Destroy’ ₹300 Crore ‘Propaganda Film’ Dhurandhar: The Social Media Showdown is ON
Dhruv Rathee Ignites Firestorm, Vowing to ‘Destroy’ Blockbuster ‘Dhurandhar’ with New Video
Political commentator and one of India’s most influential digital creators, Dhruv Rathee, has set the internet ablaze with a dramatic promise to ‘destroy’ a blockbuster film, escalating a long-simmering controversy over political messaging in mainstream cinema. In a cryptic, yet pointed social media post on Saturday, Rathee declared that his forthcoming YouTube video would dismantle a “₹300 crore propaganda film,” a statement that has been overwhelmingly interpreted by fans and media as a direct challenge to the record-breaking spy thriller, Dhurandhar.
“It takes 1 YouTube video to destroy a Rs 300 crore propaganda film,” Rathee wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “And I guarantee you that the MELTDOWN after this video will be so bad. They’re not ready for this. Releasing tonight ;).”
This explosive announcement comes just days after the unnamed film, widely believed to be the Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar, crossed the monumental ₹300 crore mark at the Indian box office and continued its run toward becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the year. The promise of a high-octane takedown, scheduled for the same night of the announcement, has triggered a massive wave of anticipation, debate, and inevitable political polarization across all social media platforms. The incident highlights the growing power of digital creators in critiquing and influencing the narrative around mainstream cultural products, particularly those with perceived political leanings.
The ‘₹300 Crore Propaganda Film’ in Rathee’s Crosshairs
While Dhruv Rathee strategically avoided naming the film in his post, the context leaves little room for doubt. The Ranveer Singh-led Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, has been the subject of intense scrutiny and political discussion since its release on December 5. The spy thriller follows an Indian intelligence operative’s mission in Pakistan’s Lyari area, focusing on infiltrating terror networks.
The film has been a monumental success, having already earned over ₹480 crore net in India and an estimated ₹740 crore gross worldwide, cementing its status as a major cultural and commercial phenomenon. Its success, however, has been consistently accompanied by a polarized critical response. While praised for its stellar performances, grand scale, and technical finesse, the film’s perceived strong political undertones—and particularly its portrayal of geopolitical conflict—have fueled a continuous debate about its nature. Even veteran actors reviewing the film have lauded its cinematic craft while expressing disagreement with certain political messages.
Rathee’s use of the term “₹300 crore propaganda film” serves as a direct, undeniable shot at the movie, leveraging both its massive financial success and the persistent accusations of it being an exercise in state-aligned messaging.
The History of the Rathee-Dhurandhar Clash
This is not the first time Dhruv Rathee has taken aim at the film or its creators. The current conflict is a continuation of a much earlier, equally explosive critique launched in November, shortly after the release of the film’s trailer.
At the time, Rathee had specifically condemned the film’s depiction of graphic violence and torture, arguing that the content crossed ethical boundaries. He had written a sharp condemnation on social media, accusing director Aditya Dhar of a “lust for money” and claiming that the scenes of “extreme violence, gore and torture” were “the equivalent of watching ISIS beheadings and calling it ‘entertainment’.”. He had argued that the filmmaker was “willingly poisoning the minds of the young generation” by desensitizing them to cruelty.
This initial criticism had already set the stage for a major showdown, pitting one of the country’s most prominent political YouTubers against a celebrated and commercially successful Bollywood director. Rathee’s current announcement suggests his new video will move beyond just the ethical concerns of violence to address the deeper, structural issues of alleged political manipulation and narrative control in a film that has resonated with millions.
The Power of the Digital Critique in the Age of Blockbusters
The sheer confidence in Rathee’s promise to “destroy” a film that has grossed hundreds of crores underscores the evolving landscape of media consumption and political discourse in India. For years, Bollywood has been seen as a monolithic cultural force, but the rise of influential independent creators like Rathee has provided a powerful counter-narrative and a mechanism for public accountability.
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Challenging the Narrative: Rathee’s channel, which boasts over 36 million subscribers across all platforms and billions of views, has a proven track record of influencing public opinion and fact-checking mainstream political narratives. His videos often reach an audience that might bypass traditional news outlets, giving his critique immense leverage against a film’s messaging, regardless of its box office performance.
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The Anticipated ‘Meltdown’: Rathee’s prediction of a severe “MELTDOWN” anticipates the inevitable backlash from the film’s supporters, often seen as politically aligned with the messaging Dhurandhar is accused of promoting. This digital confrontation is not just a film review; it is a battle for the interpretation of a national narrative, played out in the public square of social media.
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A New Era of Accountability: The controversy highlights how political commentary is increasingly interwoven with entertainment. A film’s success is no longer immune to rigorous, high-reach critique from outside the traditional cinematic review ecosystem. The conversation is shifting from purely aesthetic quality to political and ethical messaging.
As Rathee’s video is set to drop, the entertainment and political spheres are holding their breath. The promised ‘destruction’ is expected to come in the form of a detailed, fact-checked analysis that attempts to deconstruct the alleged ‘propaganda’ elements of the film, providing concrete examples and context to back his bold claim. The immediate aftermath is guaranteed to dominate trending charts, fueling countless reaction videos, opinion pieces, and political skirmishes across the digital world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Which film is Dhruv Rathee referring to as the ‘propaganda film’?
While Dhruv Rathee did not explicitly name the film, the overwhelming consensus across media reports and social media is that he is referring to the blockbuster spy thriller, Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh. This is based on his previous strong criticism of the film’s trailer and the movie recently crossing the ₹300 crore box office mark, matching his description.
Q2: What was Dhruv Rathee’s earlier criticism of Dhurandhar?
Dhruv Rathee had previously criticized the film’s trailer in November for its graphic and extreme depiction of violence, gore, and torture. He stated that the intense violence was comparable to watching “ISIS beheadings and calling it ‘entertainment’” and accused the director of having a “lust for money” that led to the poisoning of young minds.
Q3: How successful has the film Dhurandhar been?
Dhurandhar has been a massive box office success since its release in early December. It has crossed the ₹300 crore net mark in India and earned approximately ₹740 crore gross worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the year.
Q4: When is Dhruv Rathee’s new video expected to be released?
In his social media post on Saturday, December 20, 2025, Dhruv Rathee stated that the video that will ‘destroy’ the film was scheduled for release “tonight”.
Q5: What is the significance of this controversy?
This controversy is significant as it represents a high-profile clash between a powerful mainstream Bollywood blockbuster and an equally powerful independent digital political commentator. It highlights the growing influence of YouTube creators in fact-checking and challenging narratives presented by large-scale commercial cinema, particularly those films perceived to have a political or nationalist message.
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