Aditya Dhar isn’t staying quiet. As Dhurandhar: The Revenge races past ₹900 crore globally, a fabricated image falsely showing Ranveer Singh’s character smoking in a turban has spread online. The director has now issued a firm, unequivocal denial — and warned those responsible that consequences are coming.
Dhar Calls Viral Turban Image Completely False
Aditya Dhar on Thursday flatly denied that Dhurandhar: The Revenge contains any scene showing Ranveer Singh’s character smoking in a turban. He confirmed the image is AI-generated. Someone morphed it from the film’s official promotional material.
“One such fabricated image falsely depicts the character Hamza/Jaskirat smoking while wearing a turban. This is completely untrue,” Dhar stated. He called it “a deliberate act of misrepresentation intended to provoke and create mischief.”
The denial was swift, direct, and clearly coordinated.
What Sparked the Dhurandhar 2 Turban Controversy?
A Mumbai-based Sikh organisation triggered the controversy. They objected to two specific depictions in the film. The first was the morphed turban-smoking image. The second involved R Madhavan’s character reciting verses from Guru Granth Sahib while smoking.
Someone then filed a police complaint against the filmmakers and the actor. Madhavan had already responded on Wednesday. He clarified that Dhar was extremely careful during filming and that his character extinguishes the cigarette before delivering those lines. Both statements together signal a united front — not reactive damage control.
Dhar Reaffirms Respect for the Sikh Community
Dhar made his position unmistakably clear. He holds “the highest respect” for the Sikh community. Every portrayal in the film, he said, reflects “utmost sensitivity, dignity, and responsibility.”
That context carries real weight here. Ranveer’s character carries a dual identity — Hamza Ali Mazari on one side, Jaskirat Singh Rangi on the other. The film traces a young Sikh man’s transformation into a covert operative. Deliberately misrepresenting that character’s appearance is therefore not just factually wrong. It is narratively malicious.
A Blockbuster Facing an AI Misinformation Attack
The timing is impossible to ignore. Dhurandhar: The Revenge released on March 19. It has already crossed ₹900 crore globally, per industry tracker Sacnilk. Its predecessor crossed ₹1,000 crore worldwide. This franchise sits at the peak of its commercial momentum — which may be exactly why someone targeted it.
Dhar urged audiences to avoid “AI-generated misinformation circulated with ulterior motives.” He called the doctored content “malicious and dishonest.” Indian cinema now faces a new reality. Blockbuster visibility makes a film a high-value target for manufactured controversy. Dhurandhar 2 may become a landmark case in how the industry fights back.
What Happens Next for Dhurandhar 2?
No confirmed FIR or arrest has emerged publicly yet. The police complaint, however, remains active. The film continues its box office run without disruption. Dhar’s warning that such manipulation “will be dealt with firmly” strongly hints at legal action ahead.
The bigger question extends beyond this film. AI tools grow more accessible every month. Bad actors no longer need technical expertise to morph official film material into provocative fake content. The industry needs a playbook. Dhurandhar 2 may just be writing the first chapter.
Dhurandhar: The Revenge has cleared its biggest off-screen challenge so far. Aditya Dhar has drawn a firm line — fabricated narratives will not be allowed to overshadow what audiences are actually watching on screen.
