Border 2 Director Anurag Singh Calls Out Trolls Targeting Varun Dhawan
The highly anticipated war drama Border 2, featuring an ensemble cast including Varun Dhawan, Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, continues to demonstrate impressive staying power at the box office. Directed by Anurag Singh, the film has been receiving widespread appreciation from audiences and critics alike. Amid this success, the director has chosen to address the significant wave of harsh criticism that actor Varun Dhawan faced even before the film's official release.
Anurag Singh's Direct Challenge to Critics
In a recent candid interview, Anurag Singh did not hold back when discussing the pre-release negativity surrounding Varun Dhawan's casting and performance. The filmmaker pointed out the unfortunate tendency for actors to be judged prematurely, often before audiences have had the opportunity to witness their work on screen. According to Singh, while constructive criticism is a natural part of the entertainment industry, unwarranted personal attacks cross a line.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Singh stated emphatically, "If people are submitting apology letters, then it is good. If you criticised something and unnecessarily did so, once you like it, you should say sorry and admit it was wrong." He elaborated on the vulnerability actors face, noting that they constantly put themselves in the public eye, performing numerous roles and actions, not all of which will please every viewer.
"Actors put themselves out there," Singh explained. "They come in front of the camera and do 50 things, out of which 10 people might not like, which is okay. You can't be liked every time. But when it gets personal, it affects a person."
The Social Media Culture of Negativity
Anurag Singh also delved into the broader issue of how negativity thrives on digital platforms, particularly social media. He observed that harsh and critical opinions often garner more attention and engagement than balanced or positive viewpoints, creating an environment where negativity becomes a tool for gaining visibility.
"Jisko aur kuch nahi bolna wo sochta hai negative bol deta hoon, social media pe likes aa jayenge," he remarked, highlighting how this mindset has become increasingly prevalent. Singh added that individuals in the entertainment industry, especially actors, are subjected to intense scrutiny and constant conversation, making them more open to criticism than those in other fields.
"People write negative things, say bad things, and get traction and followers," he noted, pointing out that this cycle often encourages more negativity as people seek attention and followers through controversial statements.
Varun Dhawan's Performance Silences Detractors
Despite the pre-release noise and criticism, Anurag Singh firmly believes that Border 2 has effectively silenced its detractors through its commercial success and audience reception. He acknowledged that personal attacks can deeply impact actors, who regularly expose themselves to public judgment. However, Singh maintained that genuine, quality work ultimately speaks louder than any online negativity.
Concluding with confidence, the director said, "Whoever faces that attack directly does get affected. People do negativity because it gets them more views, which is why this trend exists on social media. But I am happy this has left our film because ab kaam bol raha hai." This statement underscores his belief that the film's performance and Varun Dhawan's acting have now become the primary conversation, overshadowing earlier unfounded criticisms.
The success of Border 2 at the box office, coupled with Anurag Singh's strong defense of his lead actor, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Bollywood stars in the age of social media trolling. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of judging artistic work based on its final output rather than premature assumptions.
