A fresh debate has erupted around Dhurandhar, and this time, the criticism is coming from within the film industry itself. Shazia Iqbal, who recently earned praise for Dhadak 2, has seemingly called out the Ranveer Singh-led spy thriller in a series of Instagram Stories — without naming the film directly.
Though she avoided explicit references, the subtext was hard to miss.
“Hate and Violence in Its DNA”
Soon after Dhurandhar began streaming on Netflix and climbed to the No. 1 spot in India, Shazia Iqbal shared sharply worded notes describing a “sinister film” that, according to her, had “inciting hate and violence as part of its DNA.”
While the filmmaker never mentioned Dhurandhar by name, she used music from the film in her Stories, making the reference clear to followers. She also took a sarcastic dig at those praising the movie as “well made,” questioning how technical finesse can overshadow what she sees as problematic messaging.
Calling Out the “Industry Dude Bros”
In one of her most pointed remarks, Iqbal criticised what she described as “industry dude bros,” accusing them of ignoring the impact such films may have on minorities. She suggested that praise for the film reflected a deeper apathy, rather than neutrality.
She also shared a screenshot of a comment from a social media user expressing disbelief over Dhadak 2 and Dhurandhar being discussed in the same breath — highlighting the ideological contrast between the two films.
The moment gained traction quickly, adding fuel to the already polarised conversation around Dhurandhar.
Dhurandhar and the Propaganda Debate
Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar follows an Indian spy infiltrating a powerful gangster network in Pakistan. Since its theatrical release, the film has drawn both praise for its scale and performances, and criticism for allegedly promoting political propaganda.
Despite the backlash, the film has found massive audience support, especially after its Netflix debut.
R Madhavan Responds to Critics
Actor R Madhavan, who plays Ajay Sanyal — a character reportedly inspired by Ajit Doval — previously addressed the propaganda criticism. In an interview, he said he anticipated strong reactions, noting that films like Rang De Basanti and 3 Idiots had also faced similar debates upon release.
According to Madhavan, Dhurandhar was always expected to spark societal conversations, given its subject matter.
Netflix Success and What’s Next
The controversy hasn’t slowed the film’s momentum. Dhurandhar shot to the No. 1 position on Netflix India within 24 hours, reinforcing its mass appeal. Reacting to the milestone, Aditya Dhar said he was grateful to audiences discovering the film both at home and globally.
The espionage thriller also stars Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Akshaye Khanna, Sara Arjun, and Rakesh Bedi. Its second instalment, backed by Jio Studios, is slated for a theatrical release on March 19.
Final Words
Shazia Iqbal’s indirect criticism has added a new layer to the Dhurandhar discourse — one that goes beyond box office numbers and streaming charts. Whether audiences agree with her perspective or not, the episode highlights the widening ideological divide within Indian cinema, where success and scrutiny now often arrive hand in hand.
