Why I Don’t Recommend Listening to Dhurandhar Songs While Driving

Remember the whole debate around how driving a Mahindra Thar somehow turns you into a rash driver? Psychologists weighed in, behaviour experts had theories, social media had opinions and well, SUV drivers

understandably protested. Whether the Thar really changes how you drive is still up for debate. But here’s something far less controversial: the music you play while driving changes how you drive.And if you have been listening to tracks from Dhurandhar while driving, you will know exactly what I mean. People swear the music makes their workouts more beastly, their walks faster, their runs more sprint-like. I would add one more thing to that list and it is driving. As 'Na De Dil Pardesi Nu, Tenu Nit Da Rona Pai Jau Ga' plays in the background and the tempo builds, something else quietly builds too. The need for speed. The thrill. The urge to overtake, manoeuvre, push past that car ahead of you just a little faster than necessary. I didn’t notice it at first, my daughter did.When our drive ended, she said casually, “Mom, either you were driving crazy today or everyone on the road has gone mad.” That’s when it clicked. Maybe the roads weren’t the problem. Maybe the beat was.

The thing with high-tempo, aggressive music is that it pulls your attention towards itself, the rhythm, the pace, the adrenaline it stirs up. Before you realise it, your driving starts matching the music’s energy. Studies actually back this up. Researchers have found that loud or aggressive music can slow down reaction times, especially when it comes to responding to sounds like horns or sirens. One study published in Accident Analysis & Prevention showed that drivers listening to loud music reacted significantly slower to auditory warnings.ALSO READ: Dhurandhar: When Sound Becomes Strategy - How Aditya Dhar Weaponises Music As Narrative Power In Ranveer Singh FilmData tells a similar story. When the music is loud and aggressive, risk-taking goes up not because drivers intend to be reckless, but because the stimulation nudges them there. Behavioural researchers point out that many drivers (especially inexperienced ones) tend to overestimate their driving abilities. Add aggressive music to the mix and that confidence gets a further, not-always-helpful boost.That said, music in the car isn’t the villain. Far from it. Research also shows that music can be a lifesaver on long, dull drives. It keeps drivers alert and prevents that dangerous zoning out. Softer, gentler music has even been shown to improve safety in car.So this isn’t a rant against Dhurandhar. I love the music. I play it during workouts. I get why it makes people feel powerful and pumped. I just don’t think it belongs on my driving playlist. Because when a song makes your heart race, your foot often follows. And on Indian roads, where unpredictability is the only constant, that’s a rhythm I would rather not dance to.