Dhurandhar 2 faces FIR: R. Madhavan accused of disrespecting Sikh faith

Despite continuing its record-breaking box office run, Dhurandhar 2 has landed in fresh legal trouble. An FIR has been filed in Mumbai against the film’s makers and actor R. Madhavan following complaints from the Sikh community over a scene alleged to disrespect Gurbani, the sacred hymns of Sikhism.

Controversial scene

The controversy centres on a scene where Madhavan’s character recites the verse “Soora So Pechaniye, Jo lade deen ke het. Purja purja kat mare, Kabhoo na chadde khet” from the Dasam Granth Sahib while smoking a cigarette. Critics claim this misrepresents and disrespects Sikh traditions and Guru Gobind Singh, sparking outrage among community leaders.

Gurjyot Singh Keer, Shiv Sena leader, condemned the scene, calling it “deeply hurtful and unacceptable” and urged an apology from the makers. The complaint demands accountability and removal of the offending content, highlighting concerns over religious sensitivity in cinema.

Clarification on AI poster

Some of the backlash also involved an AI-generated poster depicting a Sikh character smoking, which went viral online. Officials later clarified that the poster was not official and no such song titled “Pralay” exists in the film.

This is not the first controversy for the Dhurandhar franchise, which has previously faced criticism for depictions of communities and real-world references, sparking debates about creative liberty versus cultural sensitivity.

As of now, neither director Aditya Dhar nor the film’s team has issued an official response to the FIR. The case underscores ongoing tensions between artistic freedom and respect for religious sentiments in Indian cinema.