Dhurandhar 2 director Aditya Dhar slams fake turban poster row around Ranveer Singh: ‘Deliberate mischief’
Director Aditya Dhar addresses controversy over Ranveer Singh's turban poster
Dubai: Indian filmmaker Aditya Dhar has addressed the controversy surrounding a viral image allegedly showing Ranveer Singh smoking while wearing a turban, clarifying that the visual is entirely fabricated and not part of Dhurandhar: The Revenge.
The clarification comes after a Sikh organisation raised objections to the image, which quickly spread online. Responding to the backlash, Dhar stated that the poster in question is an AI-generated manipulation created by altering official promotional material.
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In a detailed statement on Instagram, the director on March 26 expressed gratitude for the film’s global reception but warned against misinformation being circulated with intent. This comes a day after actor Madhavan clarified that his character was not smoking when Sikh Hymns were being played in the background. He also apologised for hurting sentiments unintentionally.
Aditya's clarification underlined that the image depicting the character Hamza, also known as Jaskirat, smoking in a turban is “completely untrue” and does not feature in the film or any authorised campaign.
Calling it a “deliberate act of misrepresentation,” Dhar added that such content is designed to mislead and provoke unnecessary controversy. He reiterated his respect for the Sikh community, stressing that every portrayal in the film has been handled with sensitivity, dignity and responsibility.
"I hold the highest respect for the Sikh community, and every portrayal in the film has been handled with utmost sensitivity, dignity, and responsibility. Any attempt to suggest otherwise through doctored content is malicious and dishonest."
Dhar also urged audiences to rely only on verified, official content and not be swayed by digitally altered visuals circulating online with ulterior motives. He warned that those responsible for spreading such misinformation would face strict action.
Dhurandhar: The Revenge continues the story of an undercover Indian operative, played by Ranveer Singh, who infiltrates the criminal underworld under the alias Hamza. While the first instalment followed his entry into the Lyari gang and the assassination of its leader, the sequel explores his growing influence over the nexus between crime and politics.
The film also stars Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna and others in key roles. The movie did not enjoy a theatrical release in the UAE and GCC cinemas.
