📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Hamza Ali Mazari (Dhurandhar)
Entertainment
Bollywood’s Shift: From ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ to ‘Dhurandhar’ Alters Enemy Perception
✍️ The Indian Express
🗓 17 Aug 2026, 10:37 AM
👁 27
Bollywood’s recent releases, from the patriotic drama ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ to the action thriller ‘Dhurandhar’, are reshaping how audiences view their adversaries, according to industry analysts.
Bollywood’s latest releases have sparked a conversation about how cinema influences public perception of enemies. The 2023 patriotic drama ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ portrayed the nation’s adversaries in a nuanced light, focusing on personal stories rather than broad stereotypes.
A year later, the action thriller ‘Dhurandhar’ shifted the narrative again, depicting its antagonists as complex characters driven by political motives. Analysts say this trend reflects a broader move away from simplistic “good vs. evil” tropes.
Film critics note that such portrayals encourage viewers to question traditional narratives and consider the socio‑economic contexts that shape conflict. The shift has also prompted discussions among filmmakers about the responsibility of media in shaping public opinion.
While the industry celebrates creative freedom, some commentators warn that the changing depiction of enemies could blur lines between entertainment and political messaging. The debate continues as Bollywood explores new storytelling avenues.
A year later, the action thriller ‘Dhurandhar’ shifted the narrative again, depicting its antagonists as complex characters driven by political motives. Analysts say this trend reflects a broader move away from simplistic “good vs. evil” tropes.
Film critics note that such portrayals encourage viewers to question traditional narratives and consider the socio‑economic contexts that shape conflict. The shift has also prompted discussions among filmmakers about the responsibility of media in shaping public opinion.
While the industry celebrates creative freedom, some commentators warn that the changing depiction of enemies could blur lines between entertainment and political messaging. The debate continues as Bollywood explores new storytelling avenues.