Take Pak citizenship: Congress leader to Dhurandhar critic over propaganda claim

Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed traded sharp words with an X user who called Dhurandhar Part 1 a propaganda film. The clash fed into the wider argument over whether the film targets Pakistanis rather than Muslims or pushes a political message.

In Short

• Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed praised Dhurandhar Part 1
• She rejected claims that film showed Muslims in bad light
• Dhurandhar faces accusations of being a propaganda film

Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed gave a pointed response on X after a user criticised her for praising Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar Part 1 and called the film “propaganda”. After the user pulled her up for her praise, she asked the user to leave India, while rejecting claims that the Aditya Dhar film showed Muslims in "bad light."

The heated exchange began on Thursday after Mohamed said she had watched the film's first part recently and praised its “excellent” direction, prompting the user to allege that it showed Muslims in a “bad light”.

Replying to the criticism, Mohamed said the film “did not show Muslims in bad light but Pakistanis”. She then sharply rejected the charge that the film was propaganda and rebuked the user for, in her words, confusing Muslims with Pakistanis.

An X user, Shoaib Ali Mohammed, identified as an IIT and IIM graduate, replied to Mohamed’s post and wrote, “How can you post this , this propoganda movie showed muslims in bad light . Shame on you (sic).”

Mohamed responded, “It did not show Muslims in bad light but Pakistanis in bad light ! Shame on you for confusing the two.” She added, “People like you spoil the name of Muslims in India.”

As the exchange escalated, Mohamed further wrote, “You are most welcome to leave India & take the citizenship of Pakistan.”

The user then replied, “Who the hell are you to tell me to move to pakistan . My great father fought for this country and all my great great grandfathers were son of this soil and not like you who have Mughals genes in their DNA (sic).”

Another X user questioned Mohamed for praising what he called a "propaganda" film. The spokesperson, in her response, acknowledged the number of terror attacks that Pakistan and the ISI had carried out in India and claimed that it needed to stop.

Dhurandhar has faced allegations from some critics and commentators that it is a “propaganda” film. Among those who have publicly used the term is YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, who argued that its narrative blends fiction with politically charged themes and blurs the line between fact and storytelling.

At the same time, the film has also found support from several voices in the industry, who have said it is a work of fiction and should be seen within the scope of creative expression rather than political messaging.

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar Part 1 and 2 is a spy action thriller that follows Ranveer Singh's Hamza Ali Mazari, an undercover intelligence agent who infiltrates Pakistan underworld to dismantle the terror network.

The films featured Ranveer Singh, Akshay Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi and several others in pivotal roles. Collectively, the Dhurandhar films crossed Rs 3,000 crore globally, while the second part is still running in theatres.

- Ends