‘Dhurandhar 2’ has found itself in the midst of a controversy following criticism of a particular scene featuring R Madhavan and Ranveer Singh. An FIR was lodged at Mumbai’s Mulund Police Station by Gurjyot Singh Keer, a Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leader and president of the group ‘Sikhs in Maharashtra’ raising objection to a scene in the film. The sequence in question shows Madhavan’s character holding a cigarette while lines from the Guru Gobind Singh Dasam Granth, which has not gone down well with the community. The complaint names Madhavan, Ranveer Singh, and filmmaker Aditya Dhar, accusing them of disrespecting Gurbani.Dhurandhar 2 Movie ReviewTaking to Instagram, Gurjyot shared a video outlining his objections, writing: “I strongly condemn the blatant disrespect shown towards Gurbani by the makers of Dhurandhar 2. Portraying a character, played by @actormaddy, talking to @ranveersingh while holding a cigarette and reciting sacred Gurbani is deeply hurtful and unacceptable. Gurbani is not mere dialogue, it is divine, sacred, and holds immense spiritual significance for the Sikh community. Such depiction reflects ignorance and a lack of sensitivity towards our faith. I urge the Sikh community to stand united and peacefully protest this insult. Show black flags to those responsible, Aditya Dhar, R. Madhavan, and Ranveer Singh, if they fail to issue a sincere apology to the SGPC and the Sikh community. Respect every faith. This is not creativity, this is disrespect.” R Madhavan has now addressed the issue and clarified the situation. In a video shared on social media, he explained that there may have been a misunderstanding regarding the scene. He said, “Dhurandhar ke pure parivar ke taraf se aapko bohot dhanyawaad ke aapne hamari film ko itna pyaar diya. Haal hi mein mujhe pataa chala hai ke kuch logon ko iss baat se takleef pahunchi hai ke Guru Govind ke dasam granth se kuch lines bolte waqt maine cigarette smoke ki hai aur isse un logon ko takleef pahunchi hai. Main aapko batana chahta hu ke yeh bilkul sahi nahi hai. Thodi galat faimi hai kyunki mujhe pura yakeen hai iss scene ke daruan aur bolte huye, Aditya Dhar ji ne joh ki mujhse zyada dhyaan rakhte hai in sab cheezon ka. Unhone kahaa tha mujhse ke yeh line bolte waqt aap cigarette bujha dijiyega aur naahi screen mein dhuaan dikhaaye dega aur naahi aapke haath mein cigarette hogi kyunki yeh hamare liye paak aur Pavitra hai. Maine bakaayda cigarette bujha diya tha aur naahi mere munh se dhuaan hai aur naahi pure scene mein cigarette ka naam o nishaan hai. (On behalf of the entire Dhurandhar team, I sincerely thank you for giving our film so much love. Recently, I came to know that some people were hurt by the perception that I was smoking a cigarette while reciting lines from Guru Gobind Singh’s Dasam Granth. I want to clarify that this is absolutely not true. There seems to be a misunderstanding because I am certain that during this scene, while delivering those lines, Aditya Dhar—who is even more mindful about such matters than I am—had clearly instructed me to put out the cigarette. He ensured that there would be no smoke visible on screen and that I would not be holding a cigarette while reciting those lines, as they are sacred and pure for u. I had properly extinguished the cigarette, and there is no smoke coming from my mouth, nor is there any trace of a cigarette in the entire scene).” He further added, “Jaane anjaane mein bhi hum kisiko takleef nahi pahunchana chaahte. Puri sikh community ke saath hum hai aur hamesha rahenge. Hum unka bohot aadar karte hai. Har film ke release ke Pehle main khud hi golden temple jaata hu joh sabko pataa hai. Main phir se kehta hu ke scene ke shuruaat mein mere haath mein cigarette thi par uske baad scene shuru hoti hai, main bakaayda bujhaa deta hu. Aur mere line mein bohot Pehle se hi scene pe bilkul dhuaan nai hai. Maaf kijiyega par humne yakeenan yeh kaam nai kiya hai. (We never want to hurt anyone, knowingly or unknowingly. We stand with the entire Sikh community and always will. We have immense respect for them. Before the release of every film, I personally visit the Golden Temple, which everyone knows. I want to reiterate that at the beginning of the scene, I did have a cigarette in my hand, but as the scene begins, I properly put it out. Even while delivering my lines, there is absolutely no smoke visible. I apologise, but we certainly have not done what is being claimed).”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced some new guidelines for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. These rules aim to protect pitch quality, ensure fair play, maintain a neat on-field look, and bring more discipline to how teams prepare and behave during the high-pressure tournament.

Here’s a clear look at the key changes that every franchise, player, and support staff member must follow this year.

No practice allowed on match days

One of the biggest shifts is the complete ban on any practice sessions or fitness tests on the main square on match days. Teams can no longer squeeze in last-minute nets or drills once the match is scheduled. This move is designed to preserve the playing surface and give every side equal conditions.

For regular practice sessions (on non-match days), each team will get two nets in the designated practice area and one side wicket on the main square for range hitting. At venues like Wankhede Stadium, special arrangements ensure both teams get their own space if they train at the same time. No open nets are permitted, and teams cannot use or share the wickets allotted to the opposition, even if one side finishes early.

Also READ: Punjab Kings star Shreyas Iyer spotted watching ‘Dhurandhar 2’ ahead of IPL 2026

Support staff limits and approvals

Only 12 accredited support staff members (including the team doctor) will be allowed on match days. For extra help, like throw-down specialists or net bowlers, franchises must submit a list in advance for BCCI approval. On practice days, only accredited staff can enter the dressing room or step onto the field of play.

Travel and family rules

Players must travel to the stadium for practice sessions in the official team bus (teams can split into two batches if needed). Family members and friends have to use separate vehicles and can only watch from the hospitality area, and they won’t be allowed near the practice zones.

Dress code and presentation rules

To keep the broadcast and on-field presentation clean, players are encouraged to wear the Orange Cap and Purple Cap during matches. If a player doesn’t wear the cap, they must put it on for at least the first two overs until the broadcaster captures the shot.

In post-match presentations, sleeveless jerseys and floppies (slippers) are strictly banned. The first violation will bring a warning, while a second offence will result in a financial penalty.

Other important do’s and dont’s

• Players and support staff must not sit in front of the LED boards. Designated seating spots with towels and water bottles will be marked for substitutes.
• Teams are requested not to hit balls onto the LED boards, even though hitting nets are provided.
• Any change in a player’s jersey number must be informed to the BCCI at least 24 hours in advance.
• All PMOA-accredited staff must carry their accreditation cards on match days; first miss gets a warning, second brings a fine.

Also READ: Sunil Gavaskar criticizes overseas players for delayed arrivals ahead of IPL 2026

KKR’s Andre Russell (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra)

NEW DELHI: In a city that worships its cricket heroes, Tuesday night was all about Andre Russell. During a lively preseason event called Knights Unplugged in Kolkata, Kolkata Knight Riders made a huge announcement: they retired the No. 12 jersey to honour Russell. This means no player will ever wear that number again for the team.KKR CEO Venky Mysore revealed the tribute on stage, saying, “In your honour, we would like to retire this number for KKR,” recognising how Russell made the jersey iconic with his powerful performances.