Anurag Kashyap Calls Dhurandhar Trolls ‘Coordinated’

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has spoken out against online trolling faced by film critics, saying that recent social media attacks over reviews of the film Dhurandhar were “coordinated” rather than spontaneous reactions from viewers.

In a recent conversation on a YouTube channel, Kashyap addressed the backlash some critics faced after publishing negative reviews of the film. He described such online targeting as a “social media construct” and questioned how organic these campaigns really are.

‘Not Organic, But Coordinated’

Kashyap said disagreement is natural, but organised trolling is different. According to him, criticism of reviews is acceptable, but mass attacks on individuals appear structured.

Referring to the reaction to Dhurandhar, he said that while some people may simply disagree with a critic’s opinion, the scale and pattern of attacks suggest coordination. He also mentioned that such campaigns often appear designed rather than arising naturally from audience sentiment.

The filmmaker added that he personally shared what he liked about the film and also expressed what he found problematic. He clarified that having an opinion does not mean forcing it on others.

Backlash After Mixed Reviews

Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, received mixed reviews upon release. While many critics praised aspects of the film, others criticised it, with some describing it as agenda-driven.

Following these reviews, several critics reportedly faced trolling and online harassment. The Film Critics Guild of India later issued a statement condemning personal attacks on reviewers and defending their right to express opinions.

Kashyap, who said he appreciated parts of the film but disagreed with certain elements, described the backlash as disproportionate.

Fan Culture and Social Media

The filmmaker also spoke about the broader issue of fan-driven online reactions. He suggested that fan club activity on social media often amplifies attacks and may not always reflect genuine public opinion.

He noted that disagreeing with a review is normal, but targeting critics in large numbers goes beyond healthy debate.

Dhurandhar starred Ranveer Singh in the lead role, alongside Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Sanjay Dutt. The film performed strongly at the box office, reportedly earning over ₹1300 crore worldwide. A sequel titled Dhurandhar: The Revenge is scheduled for release next month.

Upcoming Release

Meanwhile, Kashyap is awaiting the Indian release of his film Kennedy, starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone. The film is set to stream on ZEE5 on February 20.

Kashyap’s remarks have reignited discussion around the relationship between fan culture, film criticism and online behaviour, particularly in the age of social media amplification.