Patna: The film Dhurandhar-2, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, which released yesterday, has sparked intense debate for its portrayal of a character reportedly inspired by Uttar Pradesh gangster and former MP Atiq Ahmed. The sequel, following the first installment released on December 5, has already generated significant attention from audiences and social media users alike.
Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav weighed in on the controversy, defending the film’s creative choice. “The primary function of cinema is to reflect the realities of society,” he said, noting that he knew Atiq Ahmed personally. “Depicting such a character in a film is not only appropriate but the right thing to do,” Yadav added, extending his best wishes to the director and the production team.
In Dhurandhar-2, the character—named Atif Ahmed—is depicted in several pivotal scenes, including one where he watches television coverage of the demonetization announcement and another showing his final moments, unable to attend his son’s funeral before gunfire erupts.
The portrayal has prompted a flurry of reactions online. Critics have questioned whether it is appropriate to depict a public figure posthumously in this manner, while others have defended the film for highlighting aspects of Ahmed’s life previously unexamined. Some commentators have also used the film as a springboard to discuss demonetization, defending the policy as necessary for national security.
As debates continue, the controversy appears to have heightened public interest in the film, making Atif Ahmed one of the most talked-about characters of the year.
