Vinay Kumar
As actor Prakash Raj finds himself back in the headlines after a Bengaluru court reportedly issued a non-bailable warrant against him in a voter registration-related case, an old controversy involving his comments on the blockbuster film ‘Dhurandhar 2’ has once again drawn attention.Months before the latest legal developments, the actor had sparked debate on social media after sharing a cryptic post that appeared to mock the patriotic action drama. His remarks also targeted several leading South Indian stars, including Allu Arjun, Mahesh Babu, Vijay Deverakonda and Jr NTR, who had publicly praised the film following its release.The comments quickly divided social media users, with some supporting Prakash Raj’s stance while others accused him of taking an unnecessary dig at fellow actors.
The cryptic post that triggered reactions
The controversy began when Prakash Raj uploaded a video from his home in which a song could be heard playing in the background. While the clip itself appeared harmless, it was the accompanying caption that caught the attention of netizens.“I am far from Dhurandhar… are you too?”Though he did not directly criticise the film in the video, many interpreted the post as a sarcastic comment aimed at the widespread praise being showered on ‘Dhurandhar 2’. The post soon went viral, leading to heated discussions among fans of both the actor and the film.
A dig at South cinema’s biggest stars
Prakash Raj’s criticism did not stop there. The actor later responded to a social media post highlighting how several South Indian superstars had praised ‘Dhurandhar 2’, while many prominent Bollywood celebrities remained silent about the film.Reacting to the observation, Prakash Raj wrote: “The burden of responsibilities has now started reaching the South as well.”The comment was widely interpreted as a veiled criticism of celebrities endorsing films with strong patriotic themes. While the actor did not elaborate further, his statement generated intense debate online.
Why the praise for ‘Dhurandhar 2’ became a talking point
The controversy gained momentum because some of the biggest names in Indian cinema had publicly applauded the film.Mahesh Babu was among the first stars to share his appreciation for ‘Dhurandhar 2’. Calling it a cinematic spectacle, the actor praised director Aditya Dhar‘s vision, Ranveer Singh’s performance and the film’s technical execution.Similarly, Allu Arjun’s endorsement attracted significant attention. After watching the film, the ‘Pushpa’ star described it as a proud cinematic achievement and applauded its blend of patriotism and entertainment.He wrote: “Just watched Dhurandhar 2 – tremendous swag with patriotism. This is a film that will make every patriot feel proud. There are many moments where you won’t be able to stop yourself from clapping. A complete blast! Congratulations to the entire team.”The actor also reserved special praise for Ranveer Singh and filmmaker Aditya Dhar. “Ranveer Singh is fire. Aditya Dhar has done wonders, he completely dominated. It is a matter of pride to have such brilliant filmmakers like him in our country. An Indian story… with international swag! Jai Hind.” Their endorsements helped fuel the film’s popularity and contributed to its growing buzz across the country.
‘Dhurandhar 2’ at the centre of debate
Directed, written and produced by Aditya Dhar, ‘Dhurandhar 2’ featured an ensemble cast led by Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal.Mounted on a large scale, the action drama combined patriotism, high-octane action and emotional storytelling, becoming one of the most talked-about releases of the year. The film’s success also led to widespread appreciation from audiences and celebrities alike. However, Prakash Raj’s comments ensured that the conversation around the film extended beyond the box office and into broader debates about celebrity endorsements, nationalism in cinema and differing viewpoints within the industry.While the actor has often been vocal about political and social issues, his remarks on ‘Dhurandhar 2’ once again demonstrated his willingness to express unpopular opinions, even when they invite criticism. With Prakash Raj currently facing renewed attention over his legal troubles, his comments on the film and the reaction they generated remain one of the more talked-about episodes from his recent public appearances.
