Dhadak 2 Director Shazia Iqbal Faces Intense Backlash Over Dhurandhar Critique
Shazia Iqbal, the director of the upcoming film Dhadak 2, has found herself at the center of a social media storm following her candid review of Aditya Dhar's recent blockbuster Dhurandhar. According to reports from Hindustan Times, Iqbal's comments on the Ranveer Singh-starrer have sparked widespread controversy, with many netizens accusing her of unfairly targeting the film and its creators.
What Exactly Did Shazia Iqbal Say About Dhurandhar?
Taking to her Instagram Stories, Shazia Iqbal did not hold back in her assessment of the spy thriller. She wrote, "What a sinister film! It’s not hidden, it’s not unintentional — inciting hate and violence is in the DNA of the film." She further elaborated, "But it’s a ‘well-made’ film, guys… with some cool BGM. Well done, industry dude bros. Glad that most of y’all don’t care about minorities enough to even hide your blatant apathy." These pointed remarks quickly went viral, leading to a flood of reactions across various social media platforms.
Netizens React Strongly to Iqbal's Comments
As screenshots of her Instagram Stories circulated online, the response was swift and divided. While some users criticized her stance, others engaged in heated debates about her intentions. One user on X (formerly Twitter) sarcastically remarked, "Did Shazia Iqbal watch her own project 'Sacred Games' for the first time? Or was it 'Houseful 2'?" Another added, "I genuinely think she wants to be cool but we all know what Dhurandhar is." The backlash grew so intense that Shazia Iqbal decided to turn her public Instagram account private, a move that has only fueled further discussion about the incident.
Aditya Dhar's Response and Dhurandhar's Release Details
As of now, Aditya Dhar, the director of Dhurandhar, has not publicly reacted to Shazia Iqbal's post. The film, starring Ranveer Singh, was recently released on OTT platforms and is currently streaming on Netflix. However, it is worth noting that the version available on Netflix includes censored scenes and dialogues, which has been a topic of conversation among viewers and critics alike.
Celebrity Reactions to Dhurandhar: A Mixed Bag
While Dhurandhar has received widespread praise from many quarters of the film industry, it has also faced criticism from some notable figures. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, for instance, acknowledged the film's strengths but expressed reservations about certain elements. He stated, "This is a good example of a courageous mainstream film. I liked the film, but I didn't like some of the ideologies. The dialogue about 'This is the new India' and one long political monologue, among a total of three scenes, were unnecessary; even without them, the film's impact would not have diminished." Kashyap also drew a comparison to Hollywood, adding, "Hollywood's Marvel films propagate American supremacy, but no one criticises them from that perspective."
Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan also weighed in on the film, despite not agreeing with its political undertones. He shared on social media, "I love cinema, I love people who climb into a vortex and let the story take control, spin them shake them until what they want to say is purged out of them onto that screen. DHURANDAR is an example of that. Loved the storytelling. It's cinema." Roshan further noted, "I may disagree with the politics of it, and argue about the responsibilities us filmmakers should bear as citizens of the world. Nevertheless, can't ignore how loved and learnt from this one as a student of cinema. Amazing."
The controversy surrounding Shazia Iqbal's review highlights the ongoing debates within the Indian film industry about artistic expression, political messaging, and the responsibilities of filmmakers. As the discussion continues to unfold online, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the perceptions of both Dhurandhar and Shazia Iqbal's upcoming projects.
