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Vetri Maaran on propaganda in films amid Dhurandhar debate: "It can influence memory"

PUBLISHED DATE | 29/Mar/2026

As Dhurandhar: The Revenge continues its strong theatrical run, the film has also sparked intense debate, with critics accusing it of pushing propaganda, particularly in its portrayal of demonetisation.


Amid this discussion, filmmaker Vetri Maaran made a pointed remark at a recent event, indirectly addressing the issue. “Nowadays, everything is turning into propaganda. And propaganda has the power to influence memory. Memory is so fickle,” he said.


While he did not explicitly name the film, Vetri Maaran referred to demonetisation while speaking about how narratives in cinema can reshape public perception. “We all know who was impacted the most and how many people suffered due to demonetisation. However, it is easy to alter its impact,” he added.


The director also emphasised the need for filmmakers to present narratives that counter such influences, highlighting the growing responsibility of cinema in shaping discourse.


Meanwhile, Devadath Shaji, writer of Bheeshma Parvam, also weighed in on the broader conversation. Without naming the film, he noted that strong technical execution can sometimes be used to validate problematic ideas, turning craft into a tool for manipulation. Despite the ongoing debate, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, directed by Aditya Dhar, continues to perform strongly at the box office.


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