"It is a deliberate act of misrepresentation"
Aditya Dhar has addressed the viral image that has caused Dhurandhar: The Revenge to be embroiled in controversy.
An image supposedly from the film appeared to show Ranveer Singh’s character holding a cigarette whilst wearing a turban.
A group identifying itself as ‘Sikhs in Maharashtra’ lodged a complaint on March 17 at Mulund Police Station in Mumbai.
The group said the depiction was disrespectful and hurt Sikh religious sentiments.
In the Sikh faith, smoking is strictly forbidden.
As the controversy gained traction, Aditya Dhar issued a statement, clarifying that the image was AI-generated.
He said: “I am deeply grateful and indebted for the overwhelming love that Dhurandhar: The Revenge has received from audiences across the country and the world.
“However, 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.”
Addressing the specific image, the filmmaker added:
“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.”
Aditya also stressed his respect for the Sikh community and the care taken in portraying the character:
“Let me state this unequivocally: I hold the highest respect for the Sikh community, 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 concluded with a warning about the spread of misinformation:
“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.
“Such acts will be dealt with firmly.”
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In the comments section, fans showed their support for Aditya, stating that the fabricated image was an attempt to sabotage the film.
Dhurandhar: The Revenge has enjoyed huge success since its theatrical release on March 19, 2026.
It has crossed Rs. 1,000 Crore, joining Pushpa: The Rule as one of the fastest Indian films to reach this milestone.
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