In the world of Bollywood, the real drama often happens off-camera, or in this case, in the background of a high-budget commercial. Actor Ranveer Singh has set social media ablaze not just for sharing screen space with his father-in-law, badminton legend Prakash Padukone, but for what many are calling a masterclass in “hidden trolling.”
The new RuPay advertisement, which features a rare and heartwarming appearance by Prakash Padukone, has gone viral for a blink-and-miss-it detail that appears to take a direct aim at popular YouTuber and critic Dhruv Rathee.
While the ad is ostensibly about the ease of digital payments, eagle-eyed viewers spotted a movie poster in the background during a scene set at a cinema hall. The poster features Ranveer Singh’s face with the bold title: “Bavandar: The Tornado.”
For the uninitiated, this isn’t just a random prop. The name “Bavandar” is a direct callback to a series of videos by Dhruv Rathee. In his critique of Ranveer Singh’s recent blockbuster Dhurandhar and its sequel Dhurandhar 2, Rathee had used a fictional, satirical film titled “Operation Bhavandar” to illustrate his arguments about propaganda in cinema.
By placing a “real” poster of Bavandar in his latest commercial, Singh and the ad’s creators seem to be poking fun at Rathee’s critique, essentially turning the YouTuber’s own metaphor into a punchline.
The advertisement itself is a departure from Ranveer’s usual high-octane persona, showing a softer, more familial side. He is seen calling Prakash Padukone “Pappa”—a nod to how his wife, Deepika Padukone, addresses her father—and the duo shares lighthearted moments involving badminton rackets and toy stores.
However, the “meta” humor has overshadowed the family sentiment for many fans. Social media platforms like X and Instagram have been flooded with screenshots of the poster. One user commented, “This is peak detailing. Ranveer really made ‘Bavandar’ a reality just to troll the review,” while another wrote, “No words said, but the message was received loud and clear. Absolute peak moment.”
The friction stems from Rathee’s scathing reviews of the *Dhurandhar* franchise, directed by Aditya Dhar. Rathee had labeled the films as “dangerous propaganda,” arguing that their high production quality and engaging narrative made their political messaging more potent than poorly made films.
The Dhurandhar team has been vocal in their defense, with director Aditya Dhar previously dismissing critics as being “swept away” by the film’s success. Ranveer’s inclusion of the Bavandar poster suggests the actor is equally aware of the online discourse and isn’t afraid to engage in a bit of “silent” retaliation.
While neither Ranveer Singh nor Dhruv Rathee has officially commented on the “Easter egg,” the marketing strategy has been hailed as brilliant by industry insiders. By embedding a response to a viral controversy within a commercial, the brand has ensured that the ad stays in the news cycle far longer than a traditional 30-second spot.
As of now, the “Bavandar” poster remains the most discussed part of the campaign, proving once again that in the age of digital feuds, a well-placed prop can be more powerful than a press release. Whether Rathee will respond with a “Bavandar” review of his own remains to be seen, but for now, Ranveer Singh seems to be enjoying the eye of the storm. To know
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