New Delhi: Filmmaker Aditya Dhar has addressed the controversy surrounding alleged images of Ranveer Singh smoking while wearing a turban in the blockbuster spy thriller Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The director has strongly denied the claims and stated that the visuals circulating online are fabricated and do not belong to the film.
The controversy surfaced after certain images began circulating on social media, reportedly showing Ranveer’s character Hamza/Jaskirat smoking while wearing a turban. The images triggered outrage among some groups, with a Mumbai-based Sikh organisation filing a police complaint, alleging that the visuals hurt religious sentiments.
Aditya Dhar responds to complaint over Ranveer Singh’s turban-smoking image
Aditya took to his social media handles to clarify that the images have been digitally altered and are not part of the film’s official content. In a statement released on Thursday (March 26), the director said the visuals were manipulated using artificial intelligence to create a misleading narrative.
“It has come to my attention that certain individuals are circulating manipulated visuals, by morphing officially released promotional material using artificial intelligence to create false and misleading narratives,” he wrote in an Instagram post.
He further explained that the controversial image being shared online is entirely fabricated.
“One such fabricated image falsely depicts the character Hamza/Jaskirat smoking while wearing a turban. This is completely untrue and does not form part of the film or any official material released by us. It is a deliberate act of misrepresentation intended to provoke and create mischief. And every portrayal in the film has been handled with utmost sensitivity, dignity, and responsibility. Any attempt to suggest otherwise through any doctored content is malicious and dishonest,” he added.
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The URI director further urged audiences not to rely on manipulated visuals circulating online. Instead, he asked viewers to trust official material and judge the film after watching it. “I urge audiences to rely only on official content and watch the film as it is intended, and not fall prey to AI-generated misinformation being circulated with ulterior motives,” Aditya added.
The controversy also involved a scene featuring R. Madhavan reciting verses from the Guru Granth Sahib while allegedly smoking. The actor addressed the matter earlier this week, clarifying that his character extinguishes the cigarette before delivering the lines and that the scene was filmed with careful attention to religious sensitivity.
Despite the controversy, Dhurandhar: The Revenge continues to dominate the box office. The film, which was released on March 19, has already crossed the Rs 1,000 crore mark worldwide.