Mumbai: Filmmaker Aditya Dhar has dismissed viral images showing actor Ranveer Singh wearing a turban and smoking as “fake and fabricated”, stating that they were created using artificial intelligence to mislead the public.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Dhar said the images were being circulated to damage the reputation of his film Dhurandhar: The Revenge and create unnecessary controversy.
He emphasised that he holds deep respect for the Sikh community and that every character in the film has been portrayed with sensitivity and responsibility. “No such scene exists in the film where a turbaned character is shown smoking,” he clarified, adding that the visuals are a result of deliberate tampering with promotional material.
Dhar also warned that strict action will be taken against those responsible for spreading misinformation.
The controversy comes amid earlier objections raised by a Sikh organisation over a scene featuring actor R Madhavan. Responding to the concerns, Madhavan had clarified that his character extinguishes a cigarette before reciting Gurbani, and that due care was taken while filming the scene.
Released on March 19, Dhurandhar: The Revenge has reportedly crossed ₹900 crore at the global box office. The film is a sequel to the 2025 hit Dhurandhar and traces the journey of Ranveer Singh’s character from Hamza to Jaskirat Singh Rangi.
The director has urged audiences to rely only on official content and avoid sharing unverified material online.
