Veteran actor Prakash Raj has sparked a social media debate after taking a pointed jibe at South Indian superstars, including Allu Arjun and Jr NTR, for their glowing reviews of the recently released film Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge. While the Aditya Dhar-directed spy thriller has been shattering box office records with a historic opening, it has also faced a wave of criticism from certain quarters, with some labelling it as "propaganda." Raj, known for his outspoken political views, suggested that the support from his colleagues in the Telugu film industry might be driven by "obligations" rather than purely cinematic merit. ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Sparks Controversy; Maulanas Allege ‘Dhurandhar - The Revenge’ Promotes Division.

Prakash Raj Reacts to South Actors Praising ‘Durandhar: The Revenge’

The controversy began when Raj responded to a post on X (formerly Twitter) that highlighted how several high-profile Telugu stars, including Allu Arjun, Jr NTR, Mahesh Babu, and Ram Charan, had shared high praise for the Ranveer Singh-starrer. The original post questioned why Bollywood stars were relatively quiet compared to their South Indian counterparts.

Prakash Raj quote-tweeted the post with a cryptic yet sharp remark: "Signs of Obligations are spreading South too .. #justasking." The comment was widely interpreted as an accusation that these actors were rallying behind the film due to industry or political pressures rather than genuine appreciation for the content.

Prakash Raj on Allu Arjun, Jr NTR and Ram Charan Praising ‘Dhurandhar 2’

Prakahs Raj’s 'Abhi Na Jao Chhod Ke' Video

Prior to his direct comment on the actors, Raj distanced himself from the film's hype through a creative social media post. He shared a video filmed inside his home where the classic Bollywood song "Abhi Na Jao Chhod Ke" from the 1961 film Hum Dono was playing on a radio.

Accompanying the video, Raj wrote, "Me .. Bahut Door (very far) from #Dhurandhar .... are you #justasking." By using the soulful track, Raj appeared to be signalling his preference for classic, emotive cinema over the high-octane, nationalist narrative of the new sequel. The post was seen by many as a way of "marking himself safe" from what he views as a polarising cinematic trend.

Just Prakash Raj Keeping Himself Away From ‘Dhurandhar 2’ Craze

The film, which follows Indian spy Hamza (Ranveer Singh) on a mission to Karachi, has received polar opposite reactions. While Allu Arjun described it as "Patriotism with swag" and Jr NTR called Singh’s performance an "absolute masterclass," critics like YouTuber Dhruv Rathee have slammed the film as "blatant propaganda." ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’ Dubbed Versions Cleared by CBFC Amid Delay, Release Set for THIS Date.

Despite the friction, Dhurandhar 2 has proven to be a juggernaut at the ticket window. It reportedly earned over INR 100 crore on its opening day, benefiting from massive advance bookings and widespread support from A-list celebrities across India. Director Aditya Dhar responded to the South stars' praise by emphasising a message of "one industry, one heartbeat," seemingly ignoring the underlying political friction.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 21, 2026 07:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).