Siddharth Anand, known for Pathaan and Fighter, recently praised Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar and called it a film worth rewatching. He shared his thoughts on X and said the film worked because every department delivered at its best.
He also praised Aditya Dhar for his confidence and strong vision behind the film. While many agreed with the compliment, others targeted Siddharth Anand instead of simply taking his words at face value and moved the discussion away from the film itself.
One user attacked him by pointing to scenes from his earlier films and accused him of trying to take indirect credit for Dhurandhar’s success. The comment went viral and triggered similar reactions from others who questioned his right to praise the film.
Several users said the Pathaan director should learn from Aditya Dhar on how to make “nationalist” films. Others felt Siddharth Anand spoke only because Dhurandhar became a hit and wanted to attach himself to its success in some way.
At the same time, many pointed out the double standards in this anger. Pathaan itself earned over Rs 1000 crore in 2023 and enjoyed massive support from the same online space that is now turning against its director.
Some also argued the backlash showed how praise now invites conflict. Filmmakers get attacked even when they openly appreciate work outside their own style. The industry has space for both big spectacle films and gritty stories without one cancelling the other.
