Shazia Iqbal, director of the film Dhadak 2, has made her Instagram account private following a controversial post criticizing the Aditya Dhar-directed film, Dhurandhar. The Dhurandhar is an espionage thriller starring Ranveer Singh, which was released in theaters on December 5, 2025, and has recently become available on Netflix. The film has been a box office success, grossing over ₹500 crore within three weeks of its release, and has received widespread acclaim.
Iqbal's criticism came in the form of Instagram stories posted on Sunday, February 1, 2026, where she labeled Dhurandhar a "sinister film". While she did not explicitly name the movie, she included the film's song in the background of her story, making it clear that she was referring to Dhurandhar. Iqbal accused the film of "inciting hate and violence" and stated that it was "embedded in the film's essence," further adding, "It's not concealed, it's not accidental". She also criticized industry insiders for their perceived indifference towards the impact of such films on minority communities.
In her Instagram story, Iqbal wrote, "What a sinister film! It's not hidden, it's not unintentional – inciting hate and violence is in the DNA of the film. But it's a 'well made' film guys… With some cool BgM (smile emoji). Well done industry dud bros. Glad that most of y'all don't care about minorities enough to even hide your blatant apathy". She also shared a screenshot of an Instagram direct message that questioned the comparison of Dhadak 2 and Dhurandhar, implying that people might be "schizophrenic" for associating the two.
Iqbal didn't stop at Dhurandhar; she also directed her comments towards the teaser of Vipul Shah's upcoming film, The Kerala Story 2, a sequel to his controversial 2023 film. Alongside the teaser, she added the audio of A.R. Rahman's patriotic song "Ye Jo Des Hai Tera". Furthermore, Iqbal reposted a discussion emphasizing the threat of social media spreading misinformation and prejudice, likening it to a dangerous propaganda tool, even more so than Nazi Germany.
Shortly after posting her criticism, Shazia Iqbal made her Instagram account private. This action has fueled speculation and debate online, with many interpreting it as a response to the backlash or attention her comments generated. The move has triggered a heated debate among social media users and industry observers, with many questioning the director's motives and the timing of her criticism, especially after Dhurandhar's successful theatrical and OTT run.