The upcoming patriotic war drama 'Border 2' has found itself in a social media storm even before its release, with its producer launching a fierce counterattack against online trolls. Nidhi Dutta, daughter of filmmaker JP Dutta and producer of the much-anticipated sequel, has labelled critics of actor Varun Dhawan's performance as "anti-nationals," escalating a controversy that began with the actor himself alleging "paid campaigns" against him.
The Producer's Fiery Retort on Social Media
Nidhi Dutta took to her X (formerly Twitter) account to reshare a post discussing public relations campaigns aimed at maligning Varun Dhawan's image. Her caption was unequivocal and charged with emotion. "Congratulations to all the ANTI-NATIONALS. THAT CAN PAY TO BRING DOWN AN ACTOR PLAYING A PVC OF THIS COUNTRY," she wrote. She emphasized that the film belongs to the nation, stating, "This is YOUR FILM, INDIA! Hope the audiences find and shame these people." The producer limited comments on this post, but not before a netizen questioned how criticizing an actor's performance could be deemed anti-national.
Varun Dhawan's Prior Response to the Criticism
The controversy ignited when Varun Dhawan shared the song 'Ghar Kab Aaoge' from the film on his social media. In the comments section, a user pointedly asked about the public scrutiny of his acting skills. The actor responded with a mix of grace and defiance. "Yehi sawaal ne gaana hit karadi sab enjoy kar rahe hain, rab di mehar," he replied, suggesting that the very questions had contributed to the song's popularity and expressing gratitude. This exchange set the stage for the producer's more aggressive defence of the film's star.
All About the Upcoming Patriotic Saga 'Border 2'
Slated for a grand theatrical release on January 23, 2026, 'Border 2' is a direct sequel to the iconic 1997 war film 'Border'. Directed by Anurag Singh, the movie boasts an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty. The supporting cast features Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Medha Rana, and Anya Singh. The film is one of the most awaited projects in Indian cinema, continuing the legacy of its predecessor which celebrated the valour of Indian soldiers.
The strong reaction from the film's producer highlights the high stakes and patriotic sentiment attached to the project. It also underscores the increasingly tense relationship between film creatives and online discourse, where criticism is often met with accusations of malicious intent. As the release date approaches, it remains to be seen how this war of words will impact the audience's reception of the film itself.
