'Ranveer's look will HAUNT..': 26/11 survivor REACTS to Dhurandhar's 'red screen' scene, Aditya Dhar says THIS

Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan and Arjun Rampal starrer Dhurandhar has been drawing strong audience attention since its release on December 5. The film has been performing steadily at the box office and has sparked widespread discussion for its intense storytelling and realistic treatment of sensitive subjects. While viewers have responded to the performances and narrative, one particular sequence has stood out for its emotional weight and unsettling realism, prompting strong reactions from those directly affected by the events portrayed.

Among the most powerful moments in Dhurandhar is a scene that revisits the night of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The sequence avoids dramatization and instead relies on stark presentation. A red screen fills the frame, displaying written transcripts of real conversations exchanged between the terrorists and their handlers. As the text appears, the actual audio recordings of those conversations play simultaneously. The effect is deliberately restrained yet deeply disturbing, forcing the audience to confront the cruelty and detachment behind the violence without visual spectacle.

This scene struck a particularly deep chord with 26/11 survivor and author Rajita Bagga, who lived through the terror attack at the Taj Hotel with her husband Ajay Bagga. Reacting to the moment, she described it as deeply unsettling and emotionally overwhelming. Sharing her thoughts on social media, Rajita reflected on how hearing the real voices of the handlers brought back painful memories and highlighted the inhuman nature of the attack.

Taking to her X handle on Tuesday, Rajita wrote, 'We were fortunate to survive the heinous terrorist attack that night and were rescued alive after 14 hours. To see the scene recreated from the other side- the handlers celebrating at every bomb going off & every person killed - if that doesn’t fill us with rage and renewed commitment to national security, what else will? 17 years have passed but the memory of what happened and what could have happened to us just shook me to the core. Gut-wrenching and painful.'

In a follow up post, she acknowledged the impact of the scene and the responsibility it carries for younger viewers who may not fully grasp the gravity of those events. She wrote, 'Huge credit to Dhurandhar and its makers.@AdityaDharFilms for ensuring that an entire new generation understands what truly happened on 26/11 in just those 2–3 minutes.That look of @RanveerOfficial will haunt an entire generation.'

Director Aditya Dhar responded directly to Rajita’s message, emphasizing the intention behind including the sequence in the film. He replied, 'Your words remind us why this story had to be told. That moment was shaped to reflect the brutal truth. If it leaves a mark, it is to ensure we remember, stand united, and never allow such darkness to return. Thank you for surviving, for speaking, and for strengthening our collective resolve.'

The exchange has added another layer to the conversation around Dhurandhar, highlighting how cinema can reopen difficult memories while also serving as a reminder of real events that continue to shape collective consciousness years later.