Anupam Kher says Dhurandhar is Rs 1,000-crore slap to those calling it a propaganda
Actor Anupam Kher said he no longer reacts to claims that his films are propaganda. In an exclusive interview, he argued that audience response and box-office results matter more than such labels.
Actor Anupam Kher has dismissed allegations that his films are "propaganda", saying he no longer lets such criticism affect him. In an exclusive interview with India Today, the actor said The Kashmir Files and Dhurandhar were both branded propaganda, but argued that Dhurandhar's reported Rs 1,000-crore box office haul is a "Rs 1,000-crore slap" to its critics.
Addressing the criticism surrounding some of his recent films, Kher said he no longer pays attention to people who describe them as propaganda.
"I have stopped reacting to people who call things propaganda. They are the biggest frauds on earth. They are those kinds of people who will sip champagne in a five-star hotel and talk about the poverty in India. So, I am not bothered about them,” the 71-year-old actor said.
Kher pointed out that films like The Kashmir Files and Dhurandhar have also been branded as propaganda, but said their commercial success speaks for itself.
"The problem with these people is that they don't know what to do with me. And I am not a crusader at all. I love people. They called The Kashmir Files propaganda, Dhurandhar propaganda. Thappad pad rahe hai sabko, Rs 1000 crore ka business kar rahi hai. Phir jab business karti hai toh kehte hai inhone kuch paisa vapas nahi kiya (It's proving everyone wrong. The film is earning Rs 1,000 crore at the box office. And when it becomes such a huge success, people start saying, 'They haven't given anything back)’” he added.
Explaining why he disagrees with the label, Kher argued that if propaganda alone guaranteed success, then every film perceived to have an agenda would become a blockbuster.
"Agar hum dacoits par picture bana sakte hai, voh superhit ho sakti hai, usmein agenda nahi ho sakta. Agar yahi logic hai toh Vivek Oberoi ki movie on PM Modi biopic should be superhit (If we can make a film about dacoits and it becomes a blockbuster, no one calls it an agenda-driven film. By that logic, Vivek Oberoi's biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi should also have been a superhit)," he said.
He argued that if propaganda alone guaranteed success, every film backed by leading directors and producers would become a blockbuster. According to him, that is clearly not the case, or everyone would simply start making such films.
“By this logic, every film made by a top director and producer would have been a super-duper hit. Everybody will make a propaganda film if that is what it gets you,” he added.
The Khosla Ka Khosla actor concluded by saying that audiences connect with emotions rather than ideology, adding that a film's success ultimately depends on whether it resonates with viewers.
On the work front
Anupam Kher will next be seen in Shri Ram Bhoomi. The project is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, who recently helmed The Kerala Story 2. The film also features Ritwik Bhowmik and Amruta Khanvilkar. It is backed by Anuya Chauhan Kudecha, Ritesh Kudecha, Umesh Kumar Bansal, Raedita, Akash Shah, Pranay Chokshi, Kalapi Shah, Kranti Shanbhag, Girish Johar and Meet Mojo. He also has Khosla Ka Khosla 2 in his kitty.
Actor Anupam Kher has dismissed allegations that his films are "propaganda", saying he no longer lets such criticism affect him. In an exclusive interview with India Today, the actor said The Kashmir Files and Dhurandhar were both branded propaganda, but argued that Dhurandhar's reported Rs 1,000-crore box office haul is a "Rs 1,000-crore slap" to its critics.
Addressing the criticism surrounding some of his recent films, Kher said he no longer pays attention to people who describe them as propaganda.
"I have stopped reacting to people who call things propaganda. They are the biggest frauds on earth. They are those kinds of people who will sip champagne in a five-star hotel and talk about the poverty in India. So, I am not bothered about them,” the 71-year-old actor said.
Kher pointed out that films like The Kashmir Files and Dhurandhar have also been branded as propaganda, but said their commercial success speaks for itself.
"The problem with these people is that they don't know what to do with me. And I am not a crusader at all. I love people. They called The Kashmir Files propaganda, Dhurandhar propaganda. Thappad pad rahe hai sabko, Rs 1000 crore ka business kar rahi hai. Phir jab business karti hai toh kehte hai inhone kuch paisa vapas nahi kiya (It's proving everyone wrong. The film is earning Rs 1,000 crore at the box office. And when it becomes such a huge success, people start saying, 'They haven't given anything back)’” he added.
Explaining why he disagrees with the label, Kher argued that if propaganda alone guaranteed success, then every film perceived to have an agenda would become a blockbuster.
"Agar hum dacoits par picture bana sakte hai, voh superhit ho sakti hai, usmein agenda nahi ho sakta. Agar yahi logic hai toh Vivek Oberoi ki movie on PM Modi biopic should be superhit (If we can make a film about dacoits and it becomes a blockbuster, no one calls it an agenda-driven film. By that logic, Vivek Oberoi's biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi should also have been a superhit)," he said.
He argued that if propaganda alone guaranteed success, every film backed by leading directors and producers would become a blockbuster. According to him, that is clearly not the case, or everyone would simply start making such films.
“By this logic, every film made by a top director and producer would have been a super-duper hit. Everybody will make a propaganda film if that is what it gets you,” he added.
The Khosla Ka Khosla actor concluded by saying that audiences connect with emotions rather than ideology, adding that a film's success ultimately depends on whether it resonates with viewers.
On the work front
Anupam Kher will next be seen in Shri Ram Bhoomi. The project is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, who recently helmed The Kerala Story 2. The film also features Ritwik Bhowmik and Amruta Khanvilkar. It is backed by Anuya Chauhan Kudecha, Ritesh Kudecha, Umesh Kumar Bansal, Raedita, Akash Shah, Pranay Chokshi, Kalapi Shah, Kranti Shanbhag, Girish Johar and Meet Mojo. He also has Khosla Ka Khosla 2 in his kitty.
