Zakir Khan recently made headlines as he co-hosted the Screen Awards, where he addressed the Hindi film industry with pointed remarks. The stand-up comedian suggested that Bollywood is feeling the pressure following the significant success of “Dhurandhar,” featuring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar. This commentary has sparked reactions, including a response from actress Ameesha Patel.
In a post on her X account, Ameesha Patel criticized Zakir’s comments, urging him to “stop spreading NEGATIVITY!” She asserted that the film industry holds “Dhurandhar” in high regard, emphasizing that renowned stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and others have consistently delivered major hits over the years. She reassured fans by saying, “Gadar bahut saalon se sabne already machai hain aur aage bhi machaayenge” (They have shown their power for several years and will continue to do so in the future).
Zakir’s remarks during the awards show claimed that while the industry might publicly honor “Dhurandhar,” many are secretly envious of its success. He stressed that the impact of the film was significant, mentioning, “Bomb film mein foote lyari mein par dhuan udaa hai Bandra se Juhu mein” (There were bomb blasts in Lyari in the film, but there was smoke between Bandra and Juhu).
Film director Siddharth Anand, known for hits like “Pathan” and “Fighter,” also responded to Zakir’s comments on his X account. He remarked that the contributions of filmmakers and stars from the Juhu and Bandra regions cannot be undermined, saying, “You have to be a real duffer to undermine their contribution.”
“Dhurandhar” has recently achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first Bollywood film to exceed ₹1000 crores at the Indian box office. Produced by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, the film includes a star-studded cast featuring R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, Rakesh Bedi, and Sara Arjun alongside Ranveer Singh.
Following its release, Ameesha Patel praised “Dhurandhar,” describing it as an “eye opener.” She highlighted the film’s significance through its storytelling and the quality of its cast, urging the industry to focus on making films rather than mere projects. Other celebrities, including Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, and Karan Johar, have also expressed their admiration for the film.
Set against the backdrop of Lyari, Karachi, known for its turbulent history involving gang conflicts, “Dhurandhar” tells a gripping tale. The sequel follows the journey of Ranveer’s character, Hamza Ali Mazari, as he navigates the Karachi underworld, while shedding light on his origins as Jaskirat Singh Rangi. The story intertwines covert intelligence operations with significant geopolitical events, further adding depth to its narrative.