Amritsar Artisan Designs Turbans for Ranveer, Akshaye in Dhurandhar 2, Distances Himself from AI Poster Row

An artisan from Amritsar has found himself in the spotlight after contributing to the upcoming film Dhurandhar 2, even as he distances his work from a controversy surrounding an AI-generated promotional poster.

Balwinder Singh, who runs Inder Pagri House in the Kot Khalsa area, revealed that he was responsible for crafting turbans for actors Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna in the film. However, he clarified that the turban seen in the film’s widely circulated AI-based poster does not appear to be his creation.

Speaking about his association with the project, Balwinder said he was brought on board nearly a year and a half after gaining recognition for his earlier work in an international production, where he had designed a turban for a character played by Anupam Kher. His craftsmanship earned appreciation, eventually leading to his involvement in Dhurendhar 2.

During his two-and-a-half-month stint with the film’s production team, Balwinder created multiple traditional styles of turbans. For Ranveer Singh, he prepared Patiala Shahi and Semi-Patiala Shahi turbans, while for Akshaye Khanna, he designed a Balochistani-style turban—an intricate form he mastered through self-learning and consistent practice.

Describing his experience on set, Balwinder called his interaction with Ranveer Singh “memorable and inspiring.” He recalled meeting the actor at several locations including Amritsar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Patiala, and even parts of Haryana and Delhi. He also shared a personal moment when the actor checked on his health during an illness, a gesture he said left a lasting impression on him.

Addressing the controversy over the film’s AI-generated poster, Balwinder noted a visible difference between the turban shown in the image and those he had crafted. While he stopped short of making definitive claims, he suggested that the design in the poster may not reflect authentic, hand-tied work and could have been digitally generated.

Beyond his work in cinema, Balwinder used the moment to send a message to the youth, encouraging them to embrace their cultural roots. He urged young people to maintain unshorn hair, wear turbans with pride, and stay connected to Sikh traditions. He also offered to guide anyone interested in learning the art of tying a turban.

As conversations around authenticity and artificial intelligence grow in the film industry, Balwinder Singh’s story highlights both the value of traditional craftsmanship and the challenges it faces in an increasingly digital age.

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