Filmmaker Shazia Iqbal, known for her upcoming directorial 'Dhadak 2', has ignited a fierce debate within Bollywood and among audiences after publicly slamming the spy thriller 'Dhurandhar'. Iqbal described the film as “sinister” and asserted that “inciting hate and violence is in its DNA,” sharing her strong remarks via Instagram Stories that have since garnered significant attention.
The Controversy Unfolds
Iqbal's critique, though not explicitly naming the film in her initial post, was clearly directed at 'Dhurandhar' as she paired her message with its title track. Her Instagram Story passionately stated:
• “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 criticized the industry's perceived apathy towards the implications of such content on minority communities, sarcastically adding, “But it’s a ‘well made’ film guys… With some cool BgM. Well done industry dud bros. Glad that most of y’all don’t care about minorities enough to even hide your blatant apathy.”
'Dhurandhar': A Box Office Juggernaut
Released in December 2025 and directed by Aditya Dhar, 'Dhurandhar' has been a massive commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Hindi films domestically. The action-oriented espionage narrative stars Ranveer Singh in the lead, supported by a stellar cast including Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, and Sara Arjun. Its recent release on Netflix has also seen it top streaming charts, further amplifying its reach and the impact of Iqbal's comments.
Broader Implications and Subsequent Action
Shazia Iqbal's criticism extended beyond 'Dhurandhar', referencing the teaser for 'The Kerala Story 2' – another film embroiled in past controversies. The director's outspoken stance has sparked conversations about artistic responsibility, content creation, and representation within the film industry. Hours after sharing her impactful thoughts, Iqbal made her Instagram account private, a move that has only fueled further speculation and discussion among her followers and the wider public.
