Bollywood actor R Madhavan has responded strongly to criticism that his recent film Dhurandhar and its sequel are propaganda pieces. In a recent interview, the actor questioned why being proud of his country is seen as a political statement. The controversy comes as Dhurandhar continues to dominate box office numbers and streaming platforms worldwide.
Madhavan, who played the role of Indian spymaster Ajay Sanyal in the spy thriller franchise, addressed the criticism during a conversation with Galatta Plus. The actor was asked about the polarised discourse online, where some viewers labelled Dhurandhar as a “propaganda” film that aligns with the government’s narrative.
Madhavan Questions Criticism of Patriotism
The actor firmly rejected the propaganda allegations, asking a straightforward question that has resonated with many. “I don’t understand how being an Indian can be seen as a wrong thing. What does it mean by ‘being overly Indian’? I don’t know. Is it not okay to show myself as being ‘too Indian’?”.
Madhavan pointed out that Dhurandhar is set in Pakistan and focuses on events that affect India. “Good and bad things happen there as well, just as much as they do in India. So, I don’t understand what the ‘propaganda’ in it is,” he said.
The actor also addressed criticism of his directorial debut Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022), which some said emphasised being Indian. “In Nambi sir’s (aerospace scientist Nambi Narayanan) case, I only showed what happened in his life. How can I be honest with the story if I am afraid to show who he really is?”.
Madhavan explained that portraying characters truthfully means showing their real beliefs, whether religious or not. “He is a person who goes to the temple. GD Naidu (inventor and engineer), on the other hand, is a nastik (atheist). So, we can’t show such things (him going to temples) in the movie. I have to be true to that character,” he said.
The actor made it clear that his personal opinions should not be confused with his work. “Because of that, one can’t say that I don’t believe in god or vice versa. I am an actor, and my job is to portray things as they are,” he stated.
‘Enhancing Good Things About India Is Not a Crime’
Madhavan emphasised that his goal is simple. “My personal opinion is that I want to enhance all the good things about India. That cannot be a crime,” he said.
The actor also addressed being labelled a ‘Sanghi’ on social media. He explained that he has never spoken negatively about any political party, politician, or political leader in his interviews or social media posts. “I have never shared anything against any party or its leaders. If someone has done something good, I have amplified that,” he said.
Madhavan clarified that he has never been approached by any political party to promote them or join them. “Till date, no political party has asked me or hinted that I join them or do publicity for them at the state or national level,” he said.
The actor spoke about his upbringing and how it shaped his values. “Right from the time I was a child, I was taught that my country is most important and what we do for our country is important,” he said.
He added that he believes it is his duty to support democratically elected leaders. “When a person has been elected to be a Chief Minister or Prime Minister, I think it’s my duty to support them,” Madhavan said.
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About the Dhurandhar Film Franchise
Dhurandhar is a spy action thriller written and directed by Aditya Dhar. The film was released in theatres on December 5, 2025. It features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, and Sara Arjun.
The film centres on an Indian operative played by Ranveer Singh who goes on a deep-cover mission in Pakistan. Dhurandhar emerged as a major commercial success, earning over Rs 1,300 crore worldwide.
The sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, released in theatres on March 19, 2026. It continued the story of Ranveer Singh’s character as he goes deeper into his mission to dismantle criminal networks. The sequel also became the highest-grossing Indian film of 2026.
Madhavan played the role of Indian spymaster Ajay Sanyal in both films, a character modelled on National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Madhavan’s Upcoming Projects
The actor is currently promoting his upcoming biographical film GDN, which is set to release in theatres on August 7, 2026. The film is based on the life of inventor and industrialist Gopalswamy Doraiswamy Naidu, often called the “Edison of India”.
GDN also stars Sathyaraj, Jayaram, Priyamani, Vinay Rai, Dushara Vijayan, and Aditi Balan.
Madhavan also has Adhirshtasaali and Circle in the pipeline.
Related: The MBU Is Growing: How R Madhavan Is Building His Own Biopic Universe
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