Rakesh Bedi on Dhurandhar 2’s Frenzy: Takes Subtle Dig at Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency
Mumbai: As Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge continues to dominate headlines and set box office records, actor Rakesh Bedi opened up about the film’s unprecedented reception and addressed the ongoing “propaganda” debate in an exclusive interview with NDTV. The veteran actor also took an indirect swipe at Kangana Ranaut’s 2025 release, Emergency, which had struggled at the box office.
Indirect Dig at Kangana Ranaut
Bedi commented on recent films about political figures, hinting at Emergency’s underperformance. “Recently, there was a film on Indira Gandhi and (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi, these films didn’t run for even two days. Dhurandhar’s writing, screenplay is great. People haven’t seen a film of this scale being mounted ever,” he said, praising the scope and execution of Dhurandhar 2.
Responding to ‘Propaganda’ Claims
The actor dismissed claims that the film carries a political agenda. “I don’t believe in politics. I think it’s the cinema… Everybody has the right to like or dislike a film. But I don’t think it’s right to put a film into some kind of a category… That it’s pro-establishment or anti-establishment. The verdict is that people are loving it,” Bedi told NDTV, emphasizing that audience reception matters more than labels.
A Frenzy Like Never Before
Speaking about the response from audiences, Bedi described the current atmosphere around Dhurandhar 2 as unprecedented. “The expectations were already on the cards, and now they are out. Everybody is talking about the film very highly. So many shows are going on round the clock now. This is a mad frenzy which is going on. I’ve never seen something like this in my career at least. Many people have not seen this kind of frenzy, madness, and euphoria for a film,” he added.
Record-Breaking Box Office
The film has already made history, becoming the first Bollywood film to cross the Rs 100 crore nett mark in a single day. Continuing the story from the first installment, the sequel is set in Lyari following the death of Rehman Dakait and follows a high-stakes narrative involving India’s national security, undercover missions, and a powerful network of enemies in Pakistan.
Ranveer Singh, reprising his role as Hamza, navigates dangerous territory while uncovering shocking truths tied to the mission. Bedi’s praise highlights not just the technical and narrative brilliance of Dhurandhar 2, but also its ability to resonate with audiences at a scale rarely seen in Indian cinema.
