India, April 7 -- A Bollywood spy thriller has become a political weapon, deployed by all sides across the vast expanse of India - from states like Kerala and Assam where elections are being held this week, to the country's most populous state Uttar Pradesh that's set to vote early next year.

Since the release of its first part in December 2025, 'Dhurandhar', directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh, has broken box office records. The sequel, 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge', released on March 19, 2026; and has only turned up the heat. The imagery, dialogues, and its own politics are now being cited in election campaigns and social media battles.

The most recent flashpoint came from Uttar Pradesh. Ahead of the 2027 Vidhan Sabha elect...