Filmmaker Shazia Iqbal Criticizes Spy Thriller "Dhurandhar" for Inciting Hate and Violence

Filmmaker Shazia Iqbal, renowned for her directorial debut "Dhadak 2", has taken a public stand against the spy thriller "Dhurandhar", labeling it as "sinister" and accusing it of promoting hate and violence. Her comments, shared through Instagram Stories, have ignited a discussion within the Bollywood industry and among viewers, following the movie's successful theatrical run and recent release on Netflix.

Controversial Critique Sparks Debate in Bollywood

Released in December 2025, "Dhurandhar", helmed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh in the lead role, has emerged as one of the highest-grossing Hindi films in the domestic market. The action-packed espionage storyline revolves around an Indian spy infiltrating a terrorist network, with a supporting cast including renowned actors like Akshaye Khaa, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Sara Arjun.

Shazia Iqbal's Bold Statements and Industry Response

While not explicitly mentioning the film in her initial post, Shazia Iqbal unmistakably criticized "Dhurandhar" by sharing its title track on Instagram. Describing the film as deliberately provocative, she highlighted how it propagates hate and violence. Iqbal's scathing remarks extended to industry colleagues, sarcastically commending them for celebrating a film that overlooks the impact of such content on minority communities.