Vanga, who watched the film at Allu Cinemas in Hyderabad alongside Prabhas, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, April 9, to slam what he calls "selective outrage" within the film fraternity.
The "Cats in the Industry" Jibe 🐈
Vanga’s post didn't pull any punches, targeting writers and actors who he believes have benefited from similar narratives in the past:
The Quote: "Writers & actors built careers on propaganda, and the industry stayed quiet like cats. Now the same clan mock Dhurandhar. You don’t get to call yourself liberal if your first instinct is to Mock. Don’t know when truth started getting labeled as propaganda... strange times."
The Stand: Vanga argued that the label "propaganda" has become a convenient tool to dismiss factual storytelling that makes certain sections of the industry uncomfortable.
The "Laal Mirch" Warning: Fighting the 'Kaala Drishti' 🌶️
Beyond the ideological debate, it was Vanga’s dramatic and colorful warning to Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh that went viral:
The Advice: "I want to tell @AdityaDharFilms & @RanveerOfficial yeh kaala drishti (evil eye) aise nahi jaayega. Muthi bhar ke laal mirch (handful of red chillies) se kaam nahi chalega. Poora khet jalana padega (the entire field will have to be burned)."
The Meaning: The remark, interpreted as high praise for the film’s massive impact, suggests that the success is so significant that minor "remedies" won't stop the envy and negativity coming their way.
Writers & actors built careers on propaganda, and the industry stayed quiet like cats. Now the same clan mock Dhurandhar. You don’t get to call yourself liberal if your first instinct is to Mock.
— Sandeep Reddy Vanga (@imvangasandeep) April 9, 2026
Don’t know when truth started getting labeled as propaganda...... strange times.…
Aditya Dhar’s Emotional Response: "A Brother’s Support" 🤝
Director Aditya Dhar was quick to respond to the Animal director’s endorsement, expressing deep respect for Vanga’s conviction:
"Mere Pyaare Sandeep, I genuinely love the way you stand your ground and give it back when it matters. There’s a real honesty and belief in that... That kind of conviction reminds all of us to trust our voice and just go for it."
Dhar also extended his best wishes for Vanga’s next project, 'Spirit', and gave a special shoutout to Prabhas, calling him a "legend."
Mere Pyaare Sandeep,
— Aditya Dhar (@AdityaDharFilms) April 9, 2026
I genuinely love the way you stand your ground and give it back when it matters. There’s a real honesty and belief in that and it’s something I truly respect.
I’ve always looked up to how you back your cinema without any doubt or noise.
That kind of…
Context: The "Propaganda" vs. "Truth" Debate
While Dhurandhar 2 has grossed over ₹1,665 crore globally, it has faced polarized reactions:
The Criticism: Some critics have labeled the film's portrayal of cross-border intelligence and real-life events (like the 26/11 attacks and Kandahar hijacking) as agenda-driven.
The Defense: Supporters like Vanga and Virat Kohli argue that the film is a factual representation of intelligence operations and national grit.
The Impact: The film remains banned in several Gulf countries and Pakistan, even as it continues to shatter records in North America and Europe.
SantaBanta Verdict:
Sandeep Reddy Vanga is no stranger to controversy, and by aligning himself with the Dhurandhar 2 team, he has essentially created a "Power Bloc" of filmmakers who prioritize "raw conviction" over traditional critical approval. His endorsement has only added more fuel to the film's fourth-week momentum.
