In the espionage thriller Dhurandhar and its sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, starring Ranveer Singh, R. Madhavan plays Ajay Sanyal, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Many have speculated that his character is closely modelled on India’s National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval. Aditya Dhar’s directorial has sparked widespread debate, with some critics accusing it of functioning as political propaganda. In a recent interview with Galatta Plus, Madhavan addressed the criticism surrounding the film and also responded to being labelled a “Sanghi.”
‘No political party approached me’
Responding to the criticism surrounding Dhurandhar on social media, Madhavan maintained that his views stem from personal values rather than political affiliations. He explained why he believes in standing by democratically elected leaders.
“The easiest way to find out is to check the username and see how many followers they have. You can figure out if it is a bot or a paid post,” the actor said.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Madhavan shared that he was taught from childhood to put the country first. He pointed out that he has never spoken negatively about any political party or politician in his interviews or on social media.
“No political party has asked me to join them. So, when I read such comments, I feel they are coming out of frustration, but they don’t affect my decision-making,” he said.
He further added that if a sportsperson makes the country proud, it is only natural to celebrate the achievement. “If someone feels bad about that, then their intent has to be questioned,” the Tanu Weds Manu actor remarked.
On being labeled a ‘Sanghi’
Madhavan also spoke about frequently being labelled a “Sanghi” because of his social media posts celebrating India’s achievements. He recalled that even Rocketry: The Nambi Effect was criticised by some for showcasing “too much Indian tradition and culture.”
“How is it wrong to be an Indian? Why can’t I show that I’m Indian? We are only showcasing what happened,” Madhavan said.
Referring to Dhurandhar, he argued that the film depicts real events and questioned how that amounts to propaganda. He added that Rocketry faithfully portrayed the life of scientist Nambi Narayanan. “We have not manufactured it, and I have to be true to the character,” the actor concluded.
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