Hirav Mehta, who portrays a BUF rebel in Dhurandhar: The Revenge, recently addressed the uproar surrounding a digitally altered video that appeared to show Ranveer Singh smoking while donning a turban. Filmmaker Aditya Dhar later clarified that the clip was fabricated, but it had already ignited significant online debate.
Hirav expressed skepticism about the authenticity of the viral footage. “Honestly, I wasn’t surprised or shocked. I know Aditya Dhar’s sensibility and his intelligence. Upon seeing the video, I immediately thought it was impossible. He’s a very responsible person who would never engage in something like that. He always ensures that no religious sentiments are hurt,” he stated.
On the broader implications of such alterations, Hirav remarked that facing falsehoods is now part and parcel of an actor’s life. “While we receive a lot of love, there are also trolls who spread misinformation and create false narratives. This is simply part of our journey. Personally, I choose to ignore such negativity and focus on the love I receive, which far outweighs the hate,” he explained. Hirav emphasized the importance of audience awareness, stating, “It’s crucial for people to verify information before reacting. In the past, many would respond impulsively due to a lack of awareness. However, today’s audiences are more informed and can often discern AI-generated content from the real thing. I believe platforms should implement proper labels or watermarks on such material.”
He also acknowledged that controversies can exert pressure on actors, even if they’re not directly involved. “An actor’s life is very public; thus, when false news circulates, it does have an impact. Over time, though, you learn to manage it. Audiences are perceptive—they may react at first, but they eventually grasp the truth,” he noted.
When asked whether controversies help or hinder a film’s success, Hirav offered a nuanced perspective. “Occasionally, controversies can draw attention to a project, but I don’t think they damage it in the long run. Films involve numerous individuals, and such incidents are bound to occur. I don’t believe they have a negative effect on the overall film,” he concluded.
Regarding the controversy surrounding Dhurandhar 2, a Sikh organization recently lodged a police complaint in Mumbai against the film’s creators and actor Ranveer Singh, claiming that a promotional poster has offended religious sentiments. The complaint was filed at the Mulund police station on March 17 by a group identifying itself as Sikhs in Maharashtra. They expressed concerns over the depiction of the actor in Sikh attire.
In the complaint, the group objected to a poster featuring Ranveer Singh wearing a turban and sporting a long beard along with a kada, which are sacred symbols in Sikhism, while holding a cigarette in the same image.
Director Aditya Dhar took to his official Instagram to urge the public not to trust AI-generated fake visuals of Ranveer Singh’s character, Jaskirat, depicted smoking. He reiterated his profound respect for the Sikh community, encouraging fans to rely solely on official content. He labeled the incident as “a deliberate act of misrepresentation intended to provoke and create mischief,” and warned of stringent action against those responsible for the “malicious” content.