In the middle of the ongoing debate around Aditya Dhar‘s starring Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge Ranveer Singh Labeled as a ‘propaganda film’, the Naveen Kaushik starrer has weighed in, offering a layer of controversy and asking the audience to look beyond surface reactions.
‘Life is connected to the political party, hota hai’
Reacting to Dhruv Rathee’s incendiary speech, Naveen told Hindi Rush, “Mera maanna hai life ka har aspect policy se connected hota hai. Chahe wo national policy ho ya interpersonal policy ho. Do logon ki relation ke andar bhi kahin na kahin policy hoti hai.” (I think every aspect of life is tied to politics, whether it’s national politics or interpersonal dynamics. Even in relationships, there’s always some level of politics.)He added, “Politics chhoti-moti bhi hoti hai… koi bhi film jo achhi banegi, usme kahin na kahin ek politics ya ideology dikhegi.” (Politics is also subtly present…any good film will reflect some form of politics or ideology.)
‘Yeh film ek baar dekh ke samajh nahi aayegi’
Talking about the film’s layered storytelling, “Yeh aisi film nahi hai jisko ek baar dekh ke samajh jaoge. Isko baar-baar dekhna padega… characters aisa kyun kar rahe hain, woh samajhna padega.” (This is not a movie you can understand in one viewing. You have to watch it several times to understand how the characters act.)He explained how the film avoids obvious characteristics, “Yahan pe blatant characters nahi milenge… villain aake nahi bolega ‘main tera khoon kar dunga’. Woh haste hue, gaane pe naachte hue bhi aa sakta hai.” (You won’t find any prominent characters here… the villain won’t come alone to declare his intentions. He could be smiling or dancing while doing something wrong.)Adding more, he said, “Logon ko lagega kya khoobsurat lag raha hai, lekin woh kitni bhaddi harkat karne aaya hai…apne hi logon ko maarne walon ko bandook de raha hai.” (She may seem charming on the surface, but the character might be doing something deeply problematic underneath.)
‘Hero bhi seedha-saadha nahi hai’
Talking about the protagonist, Naveen stated, “Hero yahan aisa nahi hai ki kuch bhi ho jaaye, sab theek kar dega. Woh ek ladki se romance bhi kar raha hai aur uske father ke saath conspiracy bhi… humein nahi pata woh use kar raha hai ya sach mein pyaar karta hai.” (The hero is not easy either. He could be in love, or he could be using someone; the film keeps this ambiguity alive).He added, “Art film mein aapko nuances pakadne padte hain… it is film mein bhi wahi karna padega.” (In art-driven cinema, you have to pick up the nuances, and this film demands that from the viewer).
‘Kaunsi film hai jisme politics nahi hai?’
Responding to critics like Anupama Chopra, “Aap bata do kaunsi film hai jisme politics nahi hai…Hollywood ho, European ho, Bollywood ho ya South films – sab mein kahin na kahin ideology hoti hai”. (Tell me a movie that doesn’t have politics… be it Hollywood, European, Bollywood or Southern cinema – every movie carries an ideology.)He added, “Agar aap ek lens leke dekho, toh kisi bhi cheez ko propaganda bol sakte ho.” (If you choose to look at it through a certain lens, you can call anything propaganda.)
‘Film ko ek-do baar dekhna chahiye tha’
Echoing R Madhavan’s remarks, Naveen said, “First hone ki hod mein logon ne film dekhe bina hi declare kar diya ki kharab hai…pehle dekh toh lo.” (In their rush to be the first to react, people judged the film without actually seeing it.)He also highlighted the audience’s response: “Pakistan se messages aa rahe hain, Dubai se aa rahe hain… log keh rahe hain film achhi lagi, jabki unhe Hindi bhi nahi aati.” (I got messages from places like Pakistan and Dubai; people who don’t understand Hindi appreciate the film).
‘Film ko hate ka source mat banao’
In closing, Naveen emphasized a responsible approach. “Sabke paas freedom of expression hai… aap bol sakte ho, the main discussion kar sakta hoon. Lekin film ko hate ka source mat banao, violence ka instigator mat banao.” (Everyone has the right to express their opinion, but a film should not become a source of hatred or violence).He added, “Film hai, film ke flow mein dekhiye. Agar kuch seekhne ko milta hai toh le jaiye… bas usko enjoy kijiye.” (It’s a movie; experience it like one. Take what you learn from it and just enjoy it.)
