May 21, 2026
Mar 24, 2026, 21:09 IST

Mar 24, 2026, 21:09 IST

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Sourav Ganguly (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak) NEW DELHI: Sourav Ganguly has opened up about his future in cricket, saying he remains closely connected to the game and is open to exploring coaching opportunities. Having recently guided Pretoria Capitals to a runners-up finish in the SA20 League, the former India captain said he is keen to stay…

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Gold import quota licences under India-UAE pact get extended till June 30

Gold import quota licences under India-UAE pact get extended till June 30

Vamsikrishna01 mins mins

The Centre has extended the validity of tariff rate quota (TRQ) licences issued for gold imports under the India-UAE free trade agreement, offering relief to importers facing supply disruptions amid the ongoing geopolitical crisis, reported PTI.India allows quota-based duty concessions on gold imports under the TRQ mechanism as part of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement…

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Homeschooling debate in Connecticut: What it means for students, skills, and future pathways

Homeschooling debate in Connecticut: What it means for students, skills, and future pathways

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Homeschooling debate in Connecticut: What it means for students, skills, and future pathways. (Getty Images) A closely contested bill on homeschooling regulations in Connecticut has sparked a wider conversation—not just about policy, but about how students learn, build skills, and prepare for future careers. According to reporting by the Associated Press, House Bill 5468 recently…

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Ameesha Patel calls Dhurandhar 2 an eye opener; urges industry to ‘make films, not projects’: ‘Aditya Dhar cast actors, not Instagrammars’

Ameesha Patel calls Dhurandhar 2 an eye opener; urges industry to ‘make films, not projects’: ‘Aditya Dhar cast actors, not Instagrammars’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Amid the roaring success of Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, it is Ameesha Patel who has set off a parallel debate in the industry. The actor’s sharp critique of casting trends has struck a chord, shifting part of the spotlight from box-office numbers to Bollywood’s evolving priorities. Amid the roaring success of Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge,…

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‘He told me he wasn’t coming back’: Father recalls US airman’s final call before Iraq refuelling plane crash

‘He told me he wasn’t coming back’: Father recalls US airman’s final call before Iraq refuelling plane crash

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

A US Air Force refuelling aircraft crash in western Iraq has left six servicemembers dead, including 28-year-old Tech Sgt. Tyler Simmons, in one of the deadliest recent incidents linked to ongoing US operations in the region.The aircraft, identified as a KC-135 Stratotanker, went down on March 12 while operating in what officials described as “friendly…

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NEW DELHI: The United States sees India as central to maintaining a favourable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, a senior Trump administration official said on Tuesday, outlining a roadmap for deeper defence and strategic ties amid shifting global dynamics.Addressing an event at the Ananta Centre, US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby said India’s role is indispensable for regional peace and stability, particularly at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and concerns over China’s growing military assertiveness.”The United States believes that India will play a central role in ensuring a favourable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. In this context, a strong, confident India is not only good for the Indian people. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Amazon Web Services ‘disrupted’ following drone attack in Bahrain; Saudi, UAE mull joining Iran warGulf Allies Edge Toward Conflict: Saudi grants US base access; UAE shuts Iranian assetsPossible US-Iran Talks In Islamabad: White House calls situation ‘sensitive’ and ‘fluid’; oil prices tumbleIt is good for Americans as well,” he said.Colby emphasised that the India-US partnership is anchored in shared strategic interests, even if differences persist.”First, the United States and India do not need to agree on everything to cooperate effectively. What matters is that our interests and objectives increasingly converge on the most fundamental issues,” he said.”Differences and even disputes are fully compatible with deepening alignment and cooperation on strategic matters. The roots of our partnership are deeper than optics and more durable than superficial comity; they are, rather, thickly embedded in lasting strategic mutual self-interest,” he added.Highlighting common goals, Colby said both nations benefit from an Indo-Pacific where no single power dominates, alongside open trade and national autonomy.On defence cooperation, he stressed the need to prioritise tangible capabilities.”In this light, one of the most encouraging developments in recent years has been the steady expansion of defence cooperation between the United States and India”.Quoting US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Colby said bilateral defence ties have never been stronger, with growing momentum in industrial and technology collaboration. He also referred to the ‘Major Defence Partnership’ framework finalised in October.”Our goals should be practical: to ensure that our forces can operate effectively together when our interests align, and in any case to see that India possesses the capabilities necessary to defend its sovereignty and contribute to a favourable regional balance of power,” he said.He added that the US is committed to expanding cooperation in areas such as long-range precision fires, resilient logistics, maritime domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare and advanced technologies.Colby also underlined the importance of co-production and co-development of defence equipment, while acknowledging challenges including regulatory barriers and procurement differences.”But they are not insurmountable and we should overcome them,” he said.He noted that while Washington aims to boost military sales to India, it also supports New Delhi’s push for a stronger domestic defence industry.”A strong domestic industrial base enhances sovereignty and resilience. The United States supports that objective. And India is well on its way,” he said.”India already boasts an impressive defence industrial base and India’s leadership in cutting-edge technologies only further helps broaden our defence cooperation.”Colby reiterated that differences between the two countries are natural and should not hinder cooperation.”Strong partnerships benefit from honesty, respect, and strategic clarity. The truth is that the United States and India will not agree on every issue.””Indeed, in precisely that spirit, we can say without embarrassment that India and America have not always been partners or even friendly. Our histories and strategic cultures are different, and our interests will of course at times diverge,” he said.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS President Trump Dials PM Modi Amid West Asia Conflict, Discusses Strait Of HormuzIndia’s Rafale Marine Deal May Move Faster Than Planned With Trainer Arrival: Reports’India Indispensable To Asia’: Donald Trump’s War Envoy Colby Signals US Shift Amid West Asia CrisisGovt Calls All-Party Meeting To Discuss West Asia Conflict Amid Opposition Uproar”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic Ruling123PhotostoriesFrom gold to copper: 5 smart metal investments to make this NavratriRanveer Singh’s Car Collection: Top 5 cars owned by the actor‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’: All about Sara Arjun, Ranveer Singh’s leading lady in the filmPresident Droupadi Murmu loves Rice Cheela for breakfast: 5 other Odia breakfast dishes that are truly comfortingTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Honouring the tapestry of art and imagination5 yoga asanas that are good for your heartTravelling in a War Zone: How to stay safe and 5 crucial things to keep in mindTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Celebration of art, vision, and imaginationEmraan Hashmi birthday special: Looking into the actor’s best performances from ‘Gangster’ to ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’Ayodhya real estate boom 2026: 5 high-return investment zones you should know123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper

NEW DELHI: The United States sees India as central to maintaining a favourable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, a senior Trump administration official said on Tuesday, outlining a roadmap for deeper defence and strategic ties amid shifting global dynamics.Addressing an event at the Ananta Centre, US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby said India’s role is indispensable for regional peace and stability, particularly at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and concerns over China’s growing military assertiveness.”The United States believes that India will play a central role in ensuring a favourable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. In this context, a strong, confident India is not only good for the Indian people. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Amazon Web Services ‘disrupted’ following drone attack in Bahrain; Saudi, UAE mull joining Iran warGulf Allies Edge Toward Conflict: Saudi grants US base access; UAE shuts Iranian assetsPossible US-Iran Talks In Islamabad: White House calls situation ‘sensitive’ and ‘fluid’; oil prices tumbleIt is good for Americans as well,” he said.Colby emphasised that the India-US partnership is anchored in shared strategic interests, even if differences persist.”First, the United States and India do not need to agree on everything to cooperate effectively. What matters is that our interests and objectives increasingly converge on the most fundamental issues,” he said.”Differences and even disputes are fully compatible with deepening alignment and cooperation on strategic matters. The roots of our partnership are deeper than optics and more durable than superficial comity; they are, rather, thickly embedded in lasting strategic mutual self-interest,” he added.Highlighting common goals, Colby said both nations benefit from an Indo-Pacific where no single power dominates, alongside open trade and national autonomy.On defence cooperation, he stressed the need to prioritise tangible capabilities.”In this light, one of the most encouraging developments in recent years has been the steady expansion of defence cooperation between the United States and India”.Quoting US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Colby said bilateral defence ties have never been stronger, with growing momentum in industrial and technology collaboration. He also referred to the ‘Major Defence Partnership’ framework finalised in October.”Our goals should be practical: to ensure that our forces can operate effectively together when our interests align, and in any case to see that India possesses the capabilities necessary to defend its sovereignty and contribute to a favourable regional balance of power,” he said.He added that the US is committed to expanding cooperation in areas such as long-range precision fires, resilient logistics, maritime domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare and advanced technologies.Colby also underlined the importance of co-production and co-development of defence equipment, while acknowledging challenges including regulatory barriers and procurement differences.”But they are not insurmountable and we should overcome them,” he said.He noted that while Washington aims to boost military sales to India, it also supports New Delhi’s push for a stronger domestic defence industry.”A strong domestic industrial base enhances sovereignty and resilience. The United States supports that objective. And India is well on its way,” he said.”India already boasts an impressive defence industrial base and India’s leadership in cutting-edge technologies only further helps broaden our defence cooperation.”Colby reiterated that differences between the two countries are natural and should not hinder cooperation.”Strong partnerships benefit from honesty, respect, and strategic clarity. The truth is that the United States and India will not agree on every issue.””Indeed, in precisely that spirit, we can say without embarrassment that India and America have not always been partners or even friendly. Our histories and strategic cultures are different, and our interests will of course at times diverge,” he said.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUS President Trump Dials PM Modi Amid West Asia Conflict, Discusses Strait Of HormuzIndia’s Rafale Marine Deal May Move Faster Than Planned With Trainer Arrival: Reports’India Indispensable To Asia’: Donald Trump’s War Envoy Colby Signals US Shift Amid West Asia CrisisGovt Calls All-Party Meeting To Discuss West Asia Conflict Amid Opposition Uproar”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic Ruling123PhotostoriesFrom gold to copper: 5 smart metal investments to make this NavratriRanveer Singh’s Car Collection: Top 5 cars owned by the actor‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’: All about Sara Arjun, Ranveer Singh’s leading lady in the filmPresident Droupadi Murmu loves Rice Cheela for breakfast: 5 other Odia breakfast dishes that are truly comfortingTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Honouring the tapestry of art and imagination5 yoga asanas that are good for your heartTravelling in a War Zone: How to stay safe and 5 crucial things to keep in mindTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Celebration of art, vision, and imaginationEmraan Hashmi birthday special: Looking into the actor’s best performances from ‘Gangster’ to ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’Ayodhya real estate boom 2026: 5 high-return investment zones you should know123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

NEW DELHI: The United States sees India as central to maintaining a favourable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, a senior Trump administration official said on Tuesday, outlining a roadmap for deeper defence and strategic ties amid shifting global dynamics.Addressing an event at the Ananta Centre, US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby…

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After Trump’s sanction waiver, Reliance Industries procures 5 million barrels of Iran crude oil: Report

After Trump’s sanction waiver, Reliance Industries procures 5 million barrels of Iran crude oil: Report

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Last Friday, the Donald Trump administration granted a 30-day waiver on sanctions for Iranian oil already in transit. (AI image) With the US waiving sanctions on Iran oil, Reliance Industries has reportedly bought 5 million barrels of Iranian crude. Reliance runs the world’s largest refining complex. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has…

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Himachal Pradesh Home Guard Recruitment 2026: Apply for 700 posts before March 31, direct link here

Himachal Pradesh Home Guard Recruitment 2026: Apply for 700 posts before March 31, direct link here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

The Himachal Pradesh Home Guards Department has released an official notification inviting online applications for the enrollment of 700 Home Guard volunteers under Advertisement No. 01/2026. The recruitment drive aims to fill positions across multiple categories, including General Duty, Bandmen, Drivers, and Technical Tradesmen. The online application process began earlier this month and will remain…

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Karan Johar hugs Yami Gautam at an event amidst ‘Dhurandhar 2’ success, calls her one of his favourite actors, netizens react

Karan Johar hugs Yami Gautam at an event amidst ‘Dhurandhar 2’ success, calls her one of his favourite actors, netizens react

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

A video of Karan Johar hugging Yami Gautam at an event has gone viral on the internet. This event took place a few days ago and it was to announce the slate of Amazon Prime Video’s projects this year. The two were seen embracing before unveiling the poster of Yami’s upcoming horror-comedy Nayyi Navelli, which…

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‘God’s plan’: Kolkata Knight Riders name Rinku Singh as vice-captain ahead of IPL 2026

‘God’s plan’: Kolkata Knight Riders name Rinku Singh as vice-captain ahead of IPL 2026

Vamsikrishna01 mins mins

NEW DELHI: Three-time champion Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday announced Rinku Singh as vice captain of the franchise ahead of IPL 2026.“God’s plan has a new chapter,” KKR posted on X.Ajinkya Rahane will lead the franchise in the upcoming season.Earlier, KKR also roped in left-arm pacer Saurabh Dubey as a replacement for an injured Akash…

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There’s a Cold War joke when two rival agents – a KGB one and a CIA one – find themselves in the same bar. The American tells his Russian counterpart: “I have to hand it to you – your propaganda is very impressive.” The Soviet smiles and replies: “It’s nothing compared to American propaganda.” Flummoxed, the American replies: “But we don’t have propaganda.” The Soviet winks and says: “Exactly.”There’s a line: “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn’t exist.”The same goes for American propaganda, which is why most people know the aforementioned line from The Usual Suspects and not French poet Charles Baudelaire’s The Generous Gambler. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Amazon Web Services ‘disrupted’ following drone attack in Bahrain; Saudi, UAE mull joining Iran warGulf Allies Edge Toward Conflict: Saudi grants US base access; UAE shuts Iranian assetsPossible US-Iran Talks In Islamabad: White House calls situation ‘sensitive’ and ‘fluid’; oil prices tumbleLike the devil, the greatest trick American propaganda managed was to convince even the doyens who consume it or produce it that it doesn’t exist. It wraps up this illusion in the fig leaves of morality, economics, neo-liberalism, and the devil’s favourite sleight of hand: free will.The Nazis had Riefenstahl. Americans have Michael Bay movies.Communists have agitprop; Americans have “free press.”The interesting thing about the term agitprop is that it is the amalgamation of agitation and propaganda and is named after an actual Soviet department from the 1920s.One recently came across the term “agitprop” used to describe the sequel to Dhurandhar, Aditya Dhar’s magnum opus. It was one of the many words used to describe the Dhurandhar duology, along with ‘majoritarian’, ‘Islamophobic’, all the synonyms for intolerant, and some more polysyllabic jawbreakers that would make even India’s most loquacious politician call it an “exasperating farrago of distortions, misrepresentations and outright nonsense masquerading as movie reviews.”The most common epithet shoved on Dhar’s shelf is ‘propaganda’, a term which can be construed and tortured to describe almost every single movie, if one tortures logic enough.Read: How Hollywood mastered the art of propaganda Rang De Basanti can be viewed as anarcho-pacifist propaganda wrapped in the fig leaf of patriotism.Chak De India can be construed as ‘transphobic’ anti-cooperative federalism where the antagonist’s religion is flipped to create a victim complex. Three Idiots is clearly anti-engineering school propaganda.And Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is fat-shaming people for not being able to run.Jokes apart, whether you consider the Dhurandhar duology propaganda or not depends completely upon your availability heuristic, worldview, and what you think constitutes propaganda, and is frankly beyond the scope of this piece.What the duology does brilliantly is show that Bollywood – which we discovered post the internet boom is mostly borrowed, inspired, or plagiarised from cinema across the world – appears capable of civilisational myth-making.Every nation needs a foundational myth to agree on, a story that brings its denizens together. Post its independence from the British, the US had ‘Manifest Destiny’, the expansionist belief that it was their task to spread the American way of life across the North American continent. The belief was backed by great American novels like The Last of the Mohicans and gun-slinging cowboy movies about the American frontier, which cleverly hid the genocide of indigenous people.For India – post and pre-independence – from Buddha to Gandhi, the foundational myth has been one of ahimsa, or non-violence, which was treated as the basic operating system of our nation, even the accepted truth. Of course that particular myth ignores both the two of the foundational text of Indic civilisation: the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.One of those pernicious lies that is downstream from that myth is that India has ‘never’ invaded any nation, something that actor Priyanka Chopra repeated on the Joe Rogan podcast while showing wilful ignorance about the seafaring incursions of the Cholas and other dynasties. One doesn’t blame her; Hollywood and Bollywood actors aren’t supposed to be experts in history, but the view just shows a popular consensus that has existed among people.When India finally won independence from the war-ravaged and tottering British Empire, the myth clung to our national DNA and even shaped our initial foreign policy.As geopolitical expert Brahma Chellaney argued in a TOI piece from 2019: “Had post-1947 India been proactive and forward-looking in securing its frontiers, it could have averted both the Kashmir and Himalayan border problems. China was in deep turmoil until October 1949, and India had ample time and space to assert control over the Himalayan borders. But India’s pernicious founding myth gave rise to a pacifist country that believed it could get peace merely by seeking peace, instead of building the capability to defend peace.”Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and it is very easy to look back at the man in the arena and make judgement calls from the comfort of our keyboards. But we have learnt the hard way that peace comes from having a bigger stick than the other side, or at least a nuclear weapon, which Indian governments of all ideological hues have worked together to pursue.The ahimsa foundational myth persisted in mainstream cinema and was in vogue till the last decade. Some commonly held beliefs were simply that Indians and Pakistanis are the same, who want to bond over biryani and Fawad Khan’s chiselled jaw. In the early part of the noughties, the notion was so firm that Farah Khan’s debut movie showcased an antagonist who considered Pakistan the enemy and a protagonist who, much like Neville Chamberlain, just wanted peace.It was a notion that the Indian public also believed in to a certain extent, till the Overton window shifted after terror attack upon terror attack. But Bollywood’s worldview did not change, and it continued to serve up movies from assorted spy universes where Indian and Pakistani agents often broke into dance before thwarting faceless and non-religious threats against both nations.Movies that departed from this worldview, on the other hand, were so poorly executed that they appeared to be exploitation cinema trying to make a quick buck from current political sentiment.That is why the Dhurandhar duology stands on its own, because it is a rare instance of competent myth-making that is completely attuned to the availability heuristic of its audience.Dhar’s duology rejects Bollywood’s mass, formulaic approaches to war movies or spy thrillers, eschewing escapist item-number fantasies or surreal jamborees, with a level of peak detailing that would gladden Frederick Forsyth’s heart. The movie uses enough real-life examples to serve a delicious Quentin Tarantino-style revenge fantasy, the kind we have seen in Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained, or Kill Bill.The music is sublime, mixing hits old and new, from far-off genres. Golden-era Bollywood classics jostle with qawwalis, as Punjabi pop, Arabic rap, Indian hip-hop, and Western rock come together, coupled with a background score that could have been developed by Hans Zimmer.There are so many scenes – subtle and not-so-subtle – that go out of their way to push the phantasmagoria of revenge, the kind that Hollywood has used to sublime effect over the years. All in all, it is competent myth-making. And your availability heuristic will decide whether it is myth-making for a particular spymaster, regime, religion, nation, or civilisation.This is not the first Indian movie to do that. The Baahubali duology and RRR are both sublime artefacts of civilisational pride wrapped in grand filmmaking, but the difference is that they are either set in fantastical lands or in history. Dhurandhar, on the other hand, is set in contemporary times – in the not-so-distant future – one that is the lived reality for many people watching the movie.Dhurandhar is balm for the civilisational wound, or, as Arjun Rampal, a Mumbai denizen who saw the atrocities during 26/11, put it: “This is my revenge.”Which brings us to the final question: why is there so much hysterical anger against the movie? Recently, when an Indian national pleaded guilty in an American court to a plot to assassinate an American citizen and bona fide Khalistani, social media was full of people mocking Aditya Dhar. The simple answer is that Dhurandhar Derangement Syndrome is the sigh of the former oppressor, facing civilisational erasure. The democratisation of art is a tad too much for a class that could long control the channels of communication, one that could decide what is a genteel worldview and what is not. Dhurandhar is a clean break from that past. Bollywood has some way to go before it can compete with Hollywood when it comes to myth-making, à la Top Gun or American Sniper, but this is definitely a start.In Dhurandhar’s title track, there is a line: “You are not ready for this.” In the sequel, there is a follow-up: “You are still not ready for this.” The old population might not be, but it is clear that the audience, and many denizens of new India, are definitely ready for it. About the AuthorNirmalya DuttaNirmalya Dutta is an editorial consultant with The Times of India. He covers world news, pop culture, and philosophical memes. He writes the column Random Musings and The Weekly Vine, a newsletter that blends news, culture, and humour with a touch of chaos. He is also the co-creator of Meow Times, a satirical cartoon strip about the absurdities of corporate life. His political, moral, and economic views drift somewhere between woke-Leninist, Rand-Marxist, and Keynesian-Friedmanite, though he isn’t entirely sure what any of those terms mean.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia’s Rafale Marine Deal May Move Faster Than Planned With Trainer Arrival: Reports’India Indispensable To Asia’: Donald Trump’s War Envoy Colby Signals US Shift Amid West Asia CrisisGovt Calls All-Party Meeting To Discuss West Asia Conflict Amid Opposition Uproar”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic RulingGovt Tightens Grip On GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Amid Rising Concerns Over Unauthorised Sales123PhotostoriesPresident Droupadi Murmu loves Rice Cheela for breakfast: 5 other Odia breakfast dishes that are truly comfortingTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Honouring the tapestry of art and imagination5 yoga asanas that are good for your heartTravelling in a War Zone: How to stay safe and 5 crucial things to keep in mindTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Celebration of art, vision, and imaginationEmraan Hashmi birthday special: Looking into the actor’s best performances from ‘Gangster’ to ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’Ayodhya real estate boom 2026: 5 high-return investment zones you should know5 family habits you should unlearn and whyVaibhav Suryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrificesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper

There’s a Cold War joke when two rival agents – a KGB one and a CIA one – find themselves in the same bar. The American tells his Russian counterpart: “I have to hand it to you – your propaganda is very impressive.” The Soviet smiles and replies: “It’s nothing compared to American propaganda.” Flummoxed, the American replies: “But we don’t have propaganda.” The Soviet winks and says: “Exactly.”There’s a line: “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn’t exist.”The same goes for American propaganda, which is why most people know the aforementioned line from The Usual Suspects and not French poet Charles Baudelaire’s The Generous Gambler. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Amazon Web Services ‘disrupted’ following drone attack in Bahrain; Saudi, UAE mull joining Iran warGulf Allies Edge Toward Conflict: Saudi grants US base access; UAE shuts Iranian assetsPossible US-Iran Talks In Islamabad: White House calls situation ‘sensitive’ and ‘fluid’; oil prices tumbleLike the devil, the greatest trick American propaganda managed was to convince even the doyens who consume it or produce it that it doesn’t exist. It wraps up this illusion in the fig leaves of morality, economics, neo-liberalism, and the devil’s favourite sleight of hand: free will.The Nazis had Riefenstahl. Americans have Michael Bay movies.Communists have agitprop; Americans have “free press.”The interesting thing about the term agitprop is that it is the amalgamation of agitation and propaganda and is named after an actual Soviet department from the 1920s.One recently came across the term “agitprop” used to describe the sequel to Dhurandhar, Aditya Dhar’s magnum opus. It was one of the many words used to describe the Dhurandhar duology, along with ‘majoritarian’, ‘Islamophobic’, all the synonyms for intolerant, and some more polysyllabic jawbreakers that would make even India’s most loquacious politician call it an “exasperating farrago of distortions, misrepresentations and outright nonsense masquerading as movie reviews.”The most common epithet shoved on Dhar’s shelf is ‘propaganda’, a term which can be construed and tortured to describe almost every single movie, if one tortures logic enough.Read: How Hollywood mastered the art of propaganda Rang De Basanti can be viewed as anarcho-pacifist propaganda wrapped in the fig leaf of patriotism.Chak De India can be construed as ‘transphobic’ anti-cooperative federalism where the antagonist’s religion is flipped to create a victim complex. Three Idiots is clearly anti-engineering school propaganda.And Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is fat-shaming people for not being able to run.Jokes apart, whether you consider the Dhurandhar duology propaganda or not depends completely upon your availability heuristic, worldview, and what you think constitutes propaganda, and is frankly beyond the scope of this piece.What the duology does brilliantly is show that Bollywood – which we discovered post the internet boom is mostly borrowed, inspired, or plagiarised from cinema across the world – appears capable of civilisational myth-making.Every nation needs a foundational myth to agree on, a story that brings its denizens together. Post its independence from the British, the US had ‘Manifest Destiny’, the expansionist belief that it was their task to spread the American way of life across the North American continent. The belief was backed by great American novels like The Last of the Mohicans and gun-slinging cowboy movies about the American frontier, which cleverly hid the genocide of indigenous people.For India – post and pre-independence – from Buddha to Gandhi, the foundational myth has been one of ahimsa, or non-violence, which was treated as the basic operating system of our nation, even the accepted truth. Of course that particular myth ignores both the two of the foundational text of Indic civilisation: the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.One of those pernicious lies that is downstream from that myth is that India has ‘never’ invaded any nation, something that actor Priyanka Chopra repeated on the Joe Rogan podcast while showing wilful ignorance about the seafaring incursions of the Cholas and other dynasties. One doesn’t blame her; Hollywood and Bollywood actors aren’t supposed to be experts in history, but the view just shows a popular consensus that has existed among people.When India finally won independence from the war-ravaged and tottering British Empire, the myth clung to our national DNA and even shaped our initial foreign policy.As geopolitical expert Brahma Chellaney argued in a TOI piece from 2019: “Had post-1947 India been proactive and forward-looking in securing its frontiers, it could have averted both the Kashmir and Himalayan border problems. China was in deep turmoil until October 1949, and India had ample time and space to assert control over the Himalayan borders. But India’s pernicious founding myth gave rise to a pacifist country that believed it could get peace merely by seeking peace, instead of building the capability to defend peace.”Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and it is very easy to look back at the man in the arena and make judgement calls from the comfort of our keyboards. But we have learnt the hard way that peace comes from having a bigger stick than the other side, or at least a nuclear weapon, which Indian governments of all ideological hues have worked together to pursue.The ahimsa foundational myth persisted in mainstream cinema and was in vogue till the last decade. Some commonly held beliefs were simply that Indians and Pakistanis are the same, who want to bond over biryani and Fawad Khan’s chiselled jaw. In the early part of the noughties, the notion was so firm that Farah Khan’s debut movie showcased an antagonist who considered Pakistan the enemy and a protagonist who, much like Neville Chamberlain, just wanted peace.It was a notion that the Indian public also believed in to a certain extent, till the Overton window shifted after terror attack upon terror attack. But Bollywood’s worldview did not change, and it continued to serve up movies from assorted spy universes where Indian and Pakistani agents often broke into dance before thwarting faceless and non-religious threats against both nations.Movies that departed from this worldview, on the other hand, were so poorly executed that they appeared to be exploitation cinema trying to make a quick buck from current political sentiment.That is why the Dhurandhar duology stands on its own, because it is a rare instance of competent myth-making that is completely attuned to the availability heuristic of its audience.Dhar’s duology rejects Bollywood’s mass, formulaic approaches to war movies or spy thrillers, eschewing escapist item-number fantasies or surreal jamborees, with a level of peak detailing that would gladden Frederick Forsyth’s heart. The movie uses enough real-life examples to serve a delicious Quentin Tarantino-style revenge fantasy, the kind we have seen in Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained, or Kill Bill.The music is sublime, mixing hits old and new, from far-off genres. Golden-era Bollywood classics jostle with qawwalis, as Punjabi pop, Arabic rap, Indian hip-hop, and Western rock come together, coupled with a background score that could have been developed by Hans Zimmer.There are so many scenes – subtle and not-so-subtle – that go out of their way to push the phantasmagoria of revenge, the kind that Hollywood has used to sublime effect over the years. All in all, it is competent myth-making. And your availability heuristic will decide whether it is myth-making for a particular spymaster, regime, religion, nation, or civilisation.This is not the first Indian movie to do that. The Baahubali duology and RRR are both sublime artefacts of civilisational pride wrapped in grand filmmaking, but the difference is that they are either set in fantastical lands or in history. Dhurandhar, on the other hand, is set in contemporary times – in the not-so-distant future – one that is the lived reality for many people watching the movie.Dhurandhar is balm for the civilisational wound, or, as Arjun Rampal, a Mumbai denizen who saw the atrocities during 26/11, put it: “This is my revenge.”Which brings us to the final question: why is there so much hysterical anger against the movie? Recently, when an Indian national pleaded guilty in an American court to a plot to assassinate an American citizen and bona fide Khalistani, social media was full of people mocking Aditya Dhar. The simple answer is that Dhurandhar Derangement Syndrome is the sigh of the former oppressor, facing civilisational erasure. The democratisation of art is a tad too much for a class that could long control the channels of communication, one that could decide what is a genteel worldview and what is not. Dhurandhar is a clean break from that past. Bollywood has some way to go before it can compete with Hollywood when it comes to myth-making, à la Top Gun or American Sniper, but this is definitely a start.In Dhurandhar’s title track, there is a line: “You are not ready for this.” In the sequel, there is a follow-up: “You are still not ready for this.” The old population might not be, but it is clear that the audience, and many denizens of new India, are definitely ready for it. About the AuthorNirmalya DuttaNirmalya Dutta is an editorial consultant with The Times of India. He covers world news, pop culture, and philosophical memes. He writes the column Random Musings and The Weekly Vine, a newsletter that blends news, culture, and humour with a touch of chaos. He is also the co-creator of Meow Times, a satirical cartoon strip about the absurdities of corporate life. His political, moral, and economic views drift somewhere between woke-Leninist, Rand-Marxist, and Keynesian-Friedmanite, though he isn’t entirely sure what any of those terms mean.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia’s Rafale Marine Deal May Move Faster Than Planned With Trainer Arrival: Reports’India Indispensable To Asia’: Donald Trump’s War Envoy Colby Signals US Shift Amid West Asia CrisisGovt Calls All-Party Meeting To Discuss West Asia Conflict Amid Opposition Uproar”Foreign Policy Is Compromised…” Rahul Gandhi Blasts PM Modi Over West Asia CrisisDelhi Budget: Rekha Gupta Govt Promises Free LPG Cylinders Twice A Year Amid Rising Energy CostsPM Narendra Modi Reveals How Much Oil India Has As West Asia War Disrupts Global Oil SuppliesPM Modi Urges Peace, De-escalation As India Engages Iran, Israel And US To Resolve Energy CrisisManish Tewari Questions Relevance of Budget 2026 Amid Rising West Asia TensionsSupreme Court Raps Forces Over Gender Bias, Orders Justice For Women Officers In Historic RulingGovt Tightens Grip On GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Amid Rising Concerns Over Unauthorised Sales123PhotostoriesPresident Droupadi Murmu loves Rice Cheela for breakfast: 5 other Odia breakfast dishes that are truly comfortingTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Honouring the tapestry of art and imagination5 yoga asanas that are good for your heartTravelling in a War Zone: How to stay safe and 5 crucial things to keep in mindTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India: Celebration of art, vision, and imaginationEmraan Hashmi birthday special: Looking into the actor’s best performances from ‘Gangster’ to ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’Ayodhya real estate boom 2026: 5 high-return investment zones you should know5 family habits you should unlearn and whyVaibhav Suryavanshi Home: Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s modest home in Samastipur, Bihar tells the story of hard work, determination and family sacrificesTesseract: The Geometry of Truth by The Times of India123Hot PicksTrump Iran DealMohammad Bagher GhalibafSan Francisco AirportGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingGolden state warriors vs dallas mavericks injury reportPatrick MahomesJoe MazzullaColombian Military Plane CrashBrittany MahomesWWE Raw News RoundupSilver Rate TodayRajasthan 8th Class ResultTrump Iran DealBihar Board Science Topper

Vamsikrishna08 mins mins

There’s a Cold War joke when two rival agents – a KGB one and a CIA one – find themselves in the same bar. The American tells his Russian counterpart: “I have to hand it to you – your propaganda is very impressive.” The Soviet smiles and replies: “It’s nothing compared to American propaganda.” Flummoxed,…

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MPSC Group B result released at mpsc.gov.in: Direct link to download scorecards here

MPSC Group B result released at mpsc.gov.in: Direct link to download scorecards here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

MPSC Group B result 2026: The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) has announced the Group B Preliminary Examination Result 2025 on the official website, mpsc.gov.in. The result has been released in a PDF format with names of the selected candidates. The commission has published the result along with category-wise cut-off marks. Candidates who appeared for…

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‘Kantara’ controversy row: Ranveer Singh is ready to submit affidavit of unconditional apology in court, visit Chamundi temple

‘Kantara’ controversy row: Ranveer Singh is ready to submit affidavit of unconditional apology in court, visit Chamundi temple

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Even after the release of ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’, an earlier controversy linked to Ranveer Singh continues to follow the actor. Last year, when Ranveer imitated the Daiva (Bhoota Kola) ritual—associated with Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara Chapter 1’, it drew criticism from sections of the public who felt their religious sentiments were hurt.Ranveer Singh has reportedly told…

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