Film Critics Guild calls out abuse against journos for critical reviews of ‘Dhurandhar’

The Film Critics Guild has condemned the attacks on film critics following their reviews of Ranveer Singh's movie ‘Dhurandhar.’ The film, a spy action thriller written and directed by Aditya Dhar, is based on real-life incidents involving an undercover operation led by RAW agent Hamza.
However, the Guild has raised concerns over ongoing efforts to discredit the professional integrity of film critics, as well as coordinated campaigns of abuse against them.
The backlash has intensified amid reports that critics such as Sucharita Tyagi and Anupama Chopra have been targeted with hate comments.

"In recent days, several of our members have faced intimidation, including direct threats and vicious online campaigns designed to silence their professional assessments of a film. Even more troubling are the attempts to manipulate existing reviews, influence editorial positions, and pressure publications to alter or soften their stance," the Guild stated.

This comes on the heels of a wider trend of devaluing and ridiculing film criticism by various industry figures in recent months. Such interference threatens the independence of film criticism and undermines the editorial autonomy that a healthy cultural ecosystem relies upon. The willingness to police opinion sets a dangerous precedent. Claims that professional critics are biased or have a political agenda are baseless and malicious. Critics cannot be intimidated for doing their jobs, just as criticism should never be reduced to one-line social media reactions or expected to align with promotional narratives.

"We are also deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of our colleagues across the country. No professional should be subjected to personal vilification simply for performing their duties. We urge the public, the industry, and all stakeholders to understand that while liking or disliking a film is a personal right, expecting critics to conform to a particular viewpoint is not."

Actor Hrithik Roshan, while praising the film's direction, stated that he did not agree with its political stance. "I LOVE CINEMA. I love people who climb into the vortex and let the story take control, shaking them until everything they want to say is purged onto the screen. Dhurandharr is a perfect example of that. I loved the storytelling. This is cinema," he said.