Shobhaa De calls the hype around Akshaye Khanna’s role in Dhurandhar “manipulative,” questioning film promotion strategies and sparking debate over viral performance narratives in Bollywood.
Veteran columnist and author Shobhaa De has sparked a fresh debate around the promotional strategy of Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, after calling the surge of praise around Khanna’s performance “manipulative” and “strategically planted.” Her remarks have triggered mixed reactions from fans and industry insiders alike.
What Shobhaa De said
Speaking to Rediff Originals for a podcast, Shobhaa De criticised what she described as an “orchestrated campaign” to project Akshaye Khanna’s role as the film’s defining performance, suggesting that the narrative was being shaped by an aggressive publicity push rather than organic audience response.
She said that the “manufactured hype” around Khanna’s character was “manipulative,” and hinted that such strategies diminish the collective effort of filmmaking, including the contributions of the lead star Ranveer Singh and director Aditya Dhar. De further added that turning performances into competitive talking points often distracts from the film’s storytelling and craft. She said, “Another manipulative aspect was creating the impression that Akshaye is the bigger star and that he alone stood out- even crediting his dance as the highlight.”
Context: The viral buzz around Akshaye Khanna
Following Dhurandhar’s release, social media platforms have been flooded with clips, reels, and fan edits highlighting Akshaye Khanna’s intense screen presence, especially a sequence that quickly went viral. The momentum led many online commentators to single out Khanna’s role as the film’s standout element, sometimes eclipsing Ranveer Singh’s central performance.
This wave of praise, while largely positive, also triggered discussions about whether certain moments were being amplified by targeted publicity efforts rather than purely audience-driven enthusiasm.
Shobhaa De also takes a jibe at Hrithik Roshan
Shobhaa De also criticised Hrithik Roshan and his take on the film, saying, “Nobody asked Hrithik Roshan whether he agreed with the politics of the film. He could have simply said he liked it- but he chose to go further. The choreography, the use of music, and the casting in Dhurandhar are all brilliant.”
About Dhurandhar
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, and a strong supporting cast. The film blends action, espionage, and political intrigue, and has seen robust box office traction since release, alongside intense online chatter around its performances. the next part of the film is scheduled for release on March 19.
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