Iltija Mufti Praises ‘Dhurandhar’: Hails Film for Strong Female Portrayal and ‘Perfect’ Casting

New Delhi, December 13, 2025: Iltija Mufti Praises ‘Dhurandhar’: Hails Film for Strong Female Portrayal and ‘Perfect’ CastingIn a surprising move that adds a new dimension to the ongoing public discourse surrounding the film, Iltija Mufti, the daughter of former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, has heaped praise on the Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna-starrer Dhurandhar. The political leader’s endorsement stands out, particularly amidst the divided opinions and significant controversy the film has generated since its release.

Taking to her social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Iltija Mufti shared her review, calling the movie “pretty good” and “very well made,” but focused her commendation on a specific aspect: the portrayal of its female characters.

Breaking the ‘Prop’ Stereotype

Iltija Mufti’s most striking remark addressed a common criticism of action-heavy Bollywood cinema. She noted, “Much outrage over Dhurandhar but I quite liked the movie & found it interesting. The casting especially is perfection. Women for once as is the case in most violent Bollywood movies weren’t used as props. Very well made.“

This observation highlights a powerful departure from the typical action genre trope where female characters are often relegated to minor roles, serving merely as emotional triggers or decorative elements. For a film centered on an intense, action-packed spy thriller, this sensitive handling of women’s roles resonated strongly with Mufti, adding significant weight to her positive review.

A Star-Studded Cast Lauded as ‘Perfection’

Beyond the narrative’s maturity in character depiction, Iltija Mufti also applauded the ensemble cast assembled by director Aditya Dhar, calling the casting “perfection.”

Dhurandhar, which hit screens nationwide on December 5, features a powerful line-up including Ranveer Singh in the lead role, supported by a veteran cast including Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan.

The film, which revolves around a covert intelligence officer and a high-stakes underworld saga, has been praised by many for its intense performances and deep dive into complex political and strategic issues. Akshaye Khanna’s performance, in particular, has become a viral talking point on social media, further cementing the praise for the film’s stellar casting choices.

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Adding to the Chorus of Celebrity Reactions

Iltija Mufti’s comments come amid a widespread debate over the film’s sociopolitical themes. Directed by Aditya Dhar, known for his work on thought-provoking dramas, Dhurandhar has seen audiences and critics split—one section praising its realistic portrayal of events and its highlighting of terrorism’s impact, and another criticizing it as propaganda.

Despite the controversy, the film has found immense support from the industry. Numerous prominent Bollywood figures, including Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Vicky Kaushal, and Rohit Shetty, have publicly praised the film for its intensity, depth, and strong performances.

Iltija Mufti’s unexpected and focused praise, particularly on the nuanced depiction of women, adds a unique and significant voice to the growing appreciation for a film that is not just a box office success (surpassing the ₹200 crore mark in India), but a major talking point in Indian cinema. Her review suggests that beyond the action and politics, the film offers a commendable level of character development, especially for its female roles.