Renowned filmmaker Karan Johar has taken a firm stand against the recent wave of social media trolling directed at actor Varun Dhawan. While not explicitly naming the actor, Johar's pointed comments clearly reference the criticism Dhawan has faced, particularly regarding his smile and suitability for patriotic roles. The director confidently asserted that Dhawan's performance in the newly released war drama, 'Border 2', will effectively silence the detractors and prove the online negativity to be baseless.
Karan Johar's Indirect Praise and Fiery Rebuttal
Taking to his Instagram Story, Karan Johar posted a powerful note that served as both a tribute to Varun Dhawan and a scathing critique of the trolls. He emphasized the distinction between the virtual world of social media and tangible reality. "Has to be said… the reason why it’s called a virtual world! Real will always score and prove the noise on social media as defunct!" Johar wrote, challenging the validity of online criticism.
He directly addressed the trolling of Dhawan's smile, turning the criticism on its head. "You can troll an artist for his smile, but then he laughs when the film releases to packed houses and he receives pure, authentic audience love!" The filmmaker concluded with a message of resilience, stating, "So noisemakers and clickbait-seeking content creators can do what they like… Truth will always prevail!"
Johar's Enthusiastic Endorsement of 'Border 2'
Just prior to this defiant post, Karan Johar had shared the official poster of 'Border 2' on his social media, showering the film with high praise. He expressed that the war drama had a profound emotional impact on him. "Border 2 moved me to tears in many scenes! Patriotism with a beating heart!! Sure shot WINNER!" This enthusiastic endorsement from a major industry figure adds significant weight to the film's reception amidst its mixed audience reviews.
Roots of the Controversy: Why Varun Dhawan Was Trolled
The backlash against Varun Dhawan stemmed from a segment of social media users who questioned his casting in a serious, patriotic film. Critics argued that his perceived fun-loving and urban persona did not align with the gravitas required for a soldier's role in a war drama like 'Border 2'. Some trolls went as far as to predict that the film might underperform solely because of Dhawan's involvement, criticizing his smile as being incongruous with the film's solemn theme.
Inside 'Border 2': Varun Dhawan's Role and Film Details
In 'Border 2', Varun Dhawan steps into the boots of a national hero, portraying PVC Colonel Hoshiar Singh Dahiya. This martyred soldier displayed exceptional bravery while leading troops during the pivotal 1971 India-Pakistan war. For his extraordinary courage and leadership, he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor for gallantry.
The film, directed by Anurag Singh, boasts a stellar ensemble cast including:
- Sunny Deol
- Diljit Dosanjh
- Ahan Shetty
- Mona Singh
- Medha Rana
- Anya Singh
- Sonam Bajwa
'Border 2' officially hit theaters across the country on January 23, 2026. The release has been met with a spectrum of reactions from audiences, ranging from high praise for its patriotic fervor to critiques of its execution, making it one of the early notable cinematic releases of the year.
