Dhaka, May 4 -- Veteran lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar on Sunday said that everyone has the right to promote their ideas through creative works, responding to debates over films being labelled as propaganda.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after receiving a special award from a city-based jewellery brand, when asked about criticism surrounding films like Dhurandhar.

"I don't know what you mean by propaganda films. I loved Dhurandhar; it was an excellent film. I liked the first one more than the second," he said.

"Every story takes a stand, but does it become propaganda because the narrative doesn't suit a section of the audience? Everyone has the right to propagate their ideas. What is wrong with propaganda film...