What started as a viral image quickly turned into a major controversy but now, the truth is out. Director Aditya Dhar has stepped forward to clear the air about a widely circulated photo of Ranveer Singh from Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge.
The image, which showed Ranveer’s character Jaskirat allegedly smoking while wearing a turban sparked strong reactions online. A Sikh organisation even filed a police complaint, claiming that the portrayal hurt religious sentiments.
However, Aditya Dhar has now firmly denied the authenticity of the image. He explained that the viral visual is not real but digitally altered using artificial intelligence (AI). According to him, some people manipulated official promotional material to create a misleading narrative and stir controversy.
He emphasised that the film does not include any such scene and that the image is completely fabricated. Aditya Dhar also suggested that the altered photo may have been deliberately created to provoke and mislead audiences.
Addressing concerns, the director made it clear that he deeply respects the Sikh community. He assured that every portrayal in the film has been handled carefully, keeping dignity and sensitivity in mind. He also urged the public not to trust unofficial content and instead rely only on verified material released by the makers.
The controversy began when a group called ‘Sikhs in Maharashtra’ approached the police in Mumbai. In their complaint filed at Mulund police station on March 17, they objected to a poster allegedly showing Ranveer Singh in Sikh attire, complete with a turban, beard and kada while holding a cigarette. These elements are considered sacred in Sikhism, which is why the image caused concern.
As of now, authorities have not registered an FIR and the matter is still under investigation.
For now, the filmmaker hopes this clarification will put an end to the confusion and prevent further spread of misinformation.
