Dhurandhar's Dunk: When a 'Controversial' Beat Electrified the NBA
Forget diplomacy, forget cultural appropriation debates for a second – apparently, all you need to bridge international divides is a ridiculously catchy beat and a basketball court. Dhurandhar’s title track, once the subject of Indian critical hand-wringing, proves that sometimes, a good rhythm is just a good rhythm, even if its origins are steeped in, shall we say, 'spirited' national pride. The NBA just became the world's most unlikely cultural diplomat, proving rhythm knows no borders, only epic halftime potential.
Indeed, the spectacle was remarkable: at an NBA halftime show, the Dhurandhar title track exploded onto the scene, electrifying an American audience and going instantly viral. This global embrace stood in stark contrast to the film's reception back home, where critics largely condemned it as nationalist propaganda. Yet, across the Atlantic, the music's powerful rhythm and infectious energy transcended its controversial political undertones, proving that some beats are simply too potent to be confined by nationalistic narratives or critical dissection.
