‘Picture Hai Vo? Teen Ghante Bakwaas’: Asaduddin Owaisi Tears Into Dhurandhar 2 Despite Record Box Office Run

Ranveer Singh's latest big-ticket release Dhurandhar 2 is continuing its dream run at the box office, but the Aditya Dhar directorial has also sparked sharp reactions from public figures and politicians. Among the most vocal critics is Hyderabad MP and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, who has openly attacked the film for what he described as excessive violence, abusive language and its portrayal of Muslims.

Owaisi calls Dhurandhar 2 "bakwaas"

Owaisi did not hold back while sharing his views on the film, dismissing it in strong terms and questioning why such content was being celebrated.

"Picture hai vo? Teen ghante bakwaas. (Is that even a film? It's three hours of nonsense)."

He also said he had no interest in sitting through a lengthy film that, in his view, offered little beyond violence and provocative messaging.

"I don't have the time to watch a film for three hours. I can only hope that people listen to me speak for one hour. What is even there in the film other than cuss words, promoting violence, and after three hours, it makes you wonder if you must cuss at Muslims or not. Who has the time to watch all this?"

Owaisi further raised concerns over how Muslims are shown in the film, suggesting that the movie's narrative could deepen stereotypes and fuel divisive thinking.

Box office storm continues despite criticism

Even as criticism grows from some quarters, Dhurandhar 2 has emerged as one of the biggest commercial successes of 2026. The film has reportedly collected more than Rs 715 crore in India, while its worldwide gross has crossed Rs 1,100 crore.

Its performance has placed it among the year's highest-grossing films, with the film also overtaking the lifetime box office collections of the Pushpa franchise. In another major milestone, Dhurandhar 2 crossed Rs 850 crore gross in India within just nine days of release and continues to add to its tally.

The film's strong theatrical momentum shows that despite the controversy and criticism, audience turnout remains massive across centres.

Spy thriller plot draws from real-life terror incidents

Dhurandhar 2 centres on Indian spy Jaskirat Singh Rangi, who also operates under the alias Hamza Ali Mazari, as he infiltrates a terror network based in Pakistan. The story is said to be inspired by real-life events, including the IC-814 hijacking and the Mumbai terror attacks.

The action drama is directed by Aditya Dhar and features Ranveer Singh in the lead role. The supporting cast includes R Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Dutt, adding to the film's scale and star power.

The combination of a patriotic spy-thriller setup, large-scale action sequences and a high-profile ensemble has helped the film draw huge crowds at the box office.

Film divides opinion among viewers and public figures

While many viewers and public personalities have praised Dhurandhar 2 for its action, ambition and cinematic scale, others remain uneasy about its tone and messaging. Critics of the film argue that it leans heavily on violence and pushes a strong political undercurrent that may alienate sections of the audience.

Owaisi's remarks have now added a sharper political dimension to the ongoing conversation around the film. With the movie continuing to dominate theatres and public debate at the same time, Dhurandhar 2 has become more than just a box office phenomenon, turning into one of the most talked-about and polarising releases of the year.