Dhurandhar 2 Controversy: AI “Pralay” Poster Triggers Legal Notice Ahead of Release
The high-octane buzz surrounding Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has hit a major speed bump just hours before its global premiere. What began as a viral social media trend has escalated into a full-blown legal battle involving the Sikh community, lead actor Ranveer Singh, and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
The Spark: The Infamous Smoking Poster
The controversy ignited when a poster allegedly for a song titled “Pralay” began circulating on X. The image depicts Ranveer Singh’s character, Jaskirat Singh Rangi, a turbaned Sikh man, holding a cigarette.
In the Sikh faith, the consumption of tobacco is strictly prohibited and considered a Bajjar Kurehit (a grave breach of conduct). The depiction of a Sikh wearing a Dastaar (turban) while smoking was immediately flagged as a blatant misrepresentation and an attack on religious sentiments.
The Legal Fallout
The backlash was swift and institutional:
- Legal Notice Issued: A member of the Sikh community, supported by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has sent a formal legal notice to the film’s makers, Ranveer Singh, the CBFC, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- Demands: The notice demands the immediate removal of any scenes or promotional materials showing the character smoking, along with a public apology from the filmmakers.
- CBFC Stance: While the film has secured an ‘A’ rating, the board has already mandated cuts to several violent visuals (including head trauma and beheading scenes) to bring the final runtime to 3 hours and 49 minutes.
The Twist: Fact vs. Fiction
As the hashtags trended, a “Fact Check” emerged from the film’s camp and eagle-eyed netizens:
- AI/Fan-Made Origins: Preliminary reports suggest the controversial poster is not official. It appears to be an AI-generated or fan-made creation.
- The “Pralay” Mystery: Fans pointed out that there is no song titled “Pralay” in the Dhurandhar 2 soundtrack (which features tracks like “Aari Aari” and “Ez-Ez”). Interestingly, Pralay is the title of a different upcoming zombie survival film also starring Ranveer Singh.
- Music Rights Mismatch: The viral poster featured the “Sa Re Ga Ma” logo, whereas the official music rights for Dhurandhar 2 belong to T-Series.
Impact on Release
Despite the legal heat, the film is moving toward its scheduled release on March 19, 2026, with paid previews starting tonight, March 18.
- Advance Bookings: The controversy hasn’t dampened the box office fire; the film has already crossed ₹40 crore in preview gross and sold over 10 lakh tickets for opening day.
- Geopolitical Tension: The film’s release in the Middle East remains uncertain due to ongoing regional conflicts, though it is expanding into South Indian markets (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam) with record-breaking momentum.
