Amidst a wave of online criticism directed at Varun Dhawan's performance in the upcoming film Border 2, the actor has found support from his co-star, Vansh Bhardwaj, who plays a Haryanvi soldier in the war epic. The controversy arose following the release of the emotional song "Ghar Kab Aaoge," which triggered a series of critical comments and memes targeting Dhawan's expressions and acting.
Bhardwaj has urged audiences to watch the film before passing judgment. In a recent interview with IANS, Bhardwaj defended Dhawan, emphasizing that viewers should see the complete work before drawing conclusions. "Trolling happens, and that's fine—but please, see the full work before you judge," he stated. "We'll take any feedback you throw our way afterward. I pour my heart into every role for you, the audience, always staying true to the story. If there's real honesty in what we do, it'll hit home. And if it doesn't this time, we'll come back stronger next round".
The debate extends beyond individual performances, with many comparing Border 2 to the 1997 classic, Border. Bhardwaj addressed this directly, highlighting the futility of demanding carbon copies in art. "People love to compare; it's just human nature, you can't escape it," he said. "But as artists, we have to remind everyone that nothing is ever truly alike. Think about it: even siblings raised in the same home by the same parents turn out completely different. If we're all unique, why demand movies be carbon copies? Comparisons just don't make sense".
Dhawan himself responded to the criticism with a touch of humor and positivity. In response to a user questioning his acting skills, Dhawan said that the question made the song go viral, and everyone is enjoying it. He also shared a photo on Instagram surrounded by fans, captioning it, "Border 2. Love will always triumph hate".
Veteran actor Suniel Shetty, who starred in the original Border, has also voiced his support for Dhawan. Shetty expressed confidence that Dhawan would "kill it" in the film and silence his critics. "Has anybody seen the film (Border 2)? Nobody has seen the film. We've only seen glimpses," Shetty stated. "Varun Dhawan will kill it in the film — he's outstanding. Varun is not playing himself; he is playing a decorated officer who has given his life for the country. I think we should think a little before going out there and saying these things. Today, it's very easy to trash someone and run them down".
Actress Sophie Choudry also lauded Dhawan's performance after watching Border 2, praising his sincere and powerful acting. She wrote on Instagram, "@varundvn Your brilliant performance is the loudest reply. Proud of you @varundvn .. The most sincere, hardworking, genuine human. You deserve all the love coming your way".
Border 2, directed by Anurag Singh, features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, Medha Rana, Sonam Bajwa, and Mona Singh. The film is set against the backdrop of the India-Pakistan war of 1971.
Amidst the controversy, some have alleged a "paid smear campaign" targeting Dhawan ahead of the film's release. However, these claims remain unsubstantiated. As Border 2 continues its run in theaters, the reactions from audiences will ultimately determine the film's success and the validity of the criticisms leveled against Dhawan's performance.