‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.’—  Martin Luther King, Jr.

The word Dhurandhar (धुरंधर) is a powerful Hindi and Sanskrit term that essentially describes a stalwart or an expert. Top gun.

It is used to honour someone who is a master of their craft or who carries immense responsibility with ease. Depending on the context it is – Ace, Top gun or veteran

In modern conversation, it is most commonly used as an adjective for someone who is exceptionally skilled or pre-eminent in a particular field. “He is a Dhurandhar of mathematics” (meaning he is a top-tier expert).

The etymology of the word is quite literal. In Sanskrit, Dhur means “yoke” or “burden,” and Dhara means “to hold” or “to bear.” One who bears the yoke. A leader who takes on the heaviest responsibilities of a task. Just as a strong ox bears the weight of a cart, a Dhurandhar person carries the weight of a mission.

How mass psychology works?

Nations go through mood swings; may be a decadal cycle. After the six yearlong World War 2 was over, the Hollywood went into an overdrive in making war movies- ‘The longest day’, ‘A bridge to far’, ‘bridge on the river Kwai’, ‘The Guns of Navarone’, ‘where Eagles Dare’ and the likes. The mood of the world -most of it- was upswing and people wanted to watch what went into the long-drawn war.

In India aka Bharat after independence, we saw movies like ‘Do Bigha Zamin’, ‘Naya Daur’, ‘Upkar’, ‘Shaheed’, ‘Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai’, ‘ganga jamuna’ et al.

was the era of stability, flourishing love and romance and there were movies to sweep you off the floor,

like Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, Chaudhavin Ka Chand, Barsaat Ki Raat, Kala Bazar, Sangam and Guide.

1970 onwards it was time of anger and frustration and rebellious movies were successful.

Zanjeer, Deewaar, Trishul, Namak Haraam,Shakti, Kaalia,Coolie,Mard and Aakhree Raasta hit the charts.

Then came the ‘daur’ of hope, thodi see asha, romance and aspiration- a mixed bag with no particular straight jacket direction of mass emotion. Entertainment, entertainment and entertainment.

For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake.—  Alfred Hitchcock

Renaissance of India 

ANI quotes NSA Ajit Doval: People have a sense of unity among them; there is no enmity.

Since 2014 the complexion has changed drastically. Politico socio scene is entirely different now. Those stifled earlier are getting bolder by the day and are expressing their feelings candidly. Before 2014 the social media had not penetrated so much. Today, rural India consumes more digital bandwidth than urban. Every adult, young or old has a smart phone. Earlier people were sceptical, whether to speak or not to speak. Every Indian today is proud to be an Indian- now pride is an emotion and the mood is upswing. Patriotism is in the air, palpable- Everyone wears it on his/her sleave.

Our ‘security forces are secured’ – what an oxymoronic expression. No more stone pelting on the armed forces.

The uniformed fraternity seems safe from political prosecution. So are the people in fine arts, especially movies. Film directors’, producers and actors are ready to tell the truth and people want to see it on celluloid.

For instance, Veer Savarkar who suffered so much in Kala Pani cellular jail has been mocked at by the earlier governments. Very few of us know what he had gone through. I saw an interview of Randeep Hooda who plays the lead role and he also produced and directed it. He said ‘People told me not to make this as I would be labelled as a right winger. I asked what if I make biopic on Nehru and I was told it will be art. So, I said now I will definitely make this’.

‘A Person’s first battle is with himself and within himself’ … NSA Ajit Doval

now people have the feeling of nationalism which was earlier sugar-coated nationalism perhaps.

Today an Indian dare says ‘Aab main chup nahi rahoonga’- now I will not remain silent- I will speak out my mind.

‘Cinema is a reflection of society and, in most cases, has the ability to be a mirror and not just show the problems but also give solutions and help them reach a large number of people through faces and voices that matter.’— Kirti Kulhari actor

After 2014 the movies that have not only been accepted by audience but have done very well are true to the core and no holds bar. Directors and producers have been bold to show what should be shown, and actors have given their best. Aditya Dhar the director and co-producer of film ‘Dhurandhar’ says that, he pushed the actors hard, to the limits and they played along without a complain.

Not only the mood of the audience but mood of the entire ecosystem has become ‘contributive nationalism’.

The mood is such that every Indian wants to add his penny’s worth into the nation first box. People are emotionally contributive. And that is the biggest achievement for our nation. Remember patriotism is not from the head, it is from the heart. Sacrifice too is from heart and does not need a reason.

In logic 1+1= 2, in emotions eik aur eik gyarah.

The movies that reflect the mood of the nation today, are several. I am listing a few of my favourite ones.

Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019): A high-impact war film based on the true story of the Indian Army’s 2016 retaliation to the Uri attack.

The Kashmir Files (2022): A widely-discussed movie that depicts the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandit community in 1990 due to militancy.

The Attacks of 26/11 on Mumbai terror attack

Article 15

Ikkis- on life of PVC 2nd/Lt Arun Khetarpal

“The Kerala crime Files”

Airlift

Indu Sarkar

Mumbai Diaries 26/11

The Sabarmati Report: A Hindi political drama starring Vikrant Massey that revisits the events and media’s role after the Sabarmati Express incident, aiming to uncover untold stories

‘Dhurandhar movie’ has become a super hit despite being for adults only certificate- grossing more than 1200 crore in business. This has the guts to show how cruel the Pakistanis are and shows raw action and torture.

Aditya Dhar the director of Dhurandhar says “Even assistant se lekar spot dada taak, everybody was like iss film ke liye jaan deni hai, everyone worked 16-18 hours daily for one and a half years and not even once has anybody complained ki sir aap humse zyaada kaam karraate ho, everybody has given their 100%.”

‘Great nations write their autobiographies in three manuscripts – the book of their deeds, the book of their words and the book of their art. —John Ruskin