Vivek Sinha Addresses Backlash Over Terrorist Role in 'Dhurandhar' Film Franchise
Vivek Sinha, the actor known for his portrayal of hijacker Zahoor Mistry in Aditya Dhar's blockbuster films 'Dhurandhar' and 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge', has recently opened up about a pointed social media reaction he received from a female viewer. The actor revealed that the individual criticized him for accepting the role of a terrorist and delivering dialogue against Hindus, despite belonging to the same community himself.
Instagram Message Sparks Controversy
In an exclusive interview with PTI, Vivek Sinha shared that he received a direct message on Instagram a few days ago from a woman who expressed strong disapproval of his performance. She accused him of being "ashamed" for taking on the role in the 'Dhurandhar' franchise merely for financial gain. The actor recounted her words, stating, "A lady wrote to me about how I spoke regarding Hindus in such a manner, being a Hindu myself."
Initially uncertain about how to respond, Sinha decided to engage with the critic. He explained, "I thought, should I reply to her or should I leave? Then I thought, why not? Let me make my point and let it reach her. So I left her a voice note."
Vivek Sinha's Detailed Response to the Critic
In his voice note reply, the actor articulated a fundamental principle of filmmaking, emphasizing that cinema serves as a mirror to society. He elaborated that films are designed to depict characters authentically, including their beliefs and actions. When portraying a terrorist, Sinha argued, it is necessary to convey the character's extremist ideology, which in this case included derogatory statements about Hindus.
He posed a rhetorical question to the viewer, saying, "So when we have to show that character, should we call a terrorist from Pakistan to shoot the film? We only have to do it, no? So that we understand what he is trying to say, so that we can show to what extent he can go being so cruel."
Sinha further illustrated his point by drawing a parallel, asking, "If someone is murdering in a film, should we call real murderers from jail to act?" He confirmed that he sent this explanation in a voice note and noted that the woman has not yet responded.
Context of the Controversial Dialogue
In the hijack scene of 'Dhurandhar', Vivek Sinha's character Zahoor Mistry delivers a provocative line that has sparked debate. The dialogue states, "Hindu ek darpok qaum hai, pados me hi rehte hai hum, goodebhar ka zor laga lo aur bigaad lo joh bigaad sakte ho," which translates to "Hindus are a cowardly community; we live in the neighborhood. Put all your strength, and mess up whatever you can." This line was intended to reflect the extremist mindset of the terrorist character, but it has drawn criticism from some audience members.
Success of 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge'
The film 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge', directed by Aditya Dhar, features an ensemble cast including Ranveer Singh, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, R Madhavan, and Sara Arjun. Since its theatrical release on March 19, 2026, the movie has achieved remarkable commercial success, grossing over Rs 850 crores in India within just twelve days of its release.
This financial milestone underscores the franchise's popularity and the audience's engagement with its narrative, despite the controversies surrounding certain character portrayals.
Vivek Sinha's experience highlights the ongoing dialogue between artists and their audiences regarding the boundaries of creative expression and societal responsibility in cinema.
