Actor Saumya Tandon has come forward to defend the Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna-starrer Dhurandhar after the spy thriller became the centre of a heated online debate. The controversy began when a social media user slammed the film for promoting toxic masculinity, accusing it of being a “misogynistic movie” created to appeal to male audiences.
The post criticised actors who, according to the user, reinvent themselves with rugged looks and aggressive roles to regain popularity. The comment also dragged other Bollywood names into the discussion, sparking a wave of reactions across the platform.
Amid the growing conversation, another user countered the claim, pointing out moments from the film where the female characters stand their ground. They argued that “both female leads slap men” and the men do not retaliate, suggesting the critic hadn’t watched the film.
Soon after, Saumya Tandon,who plays Ulfat, the wife of Akshaye Khanna’s character Rehman Dakait added her voice to the discussion. She noted that Dhurandhar is set in a world designed to reflect certain tough societal norms, but within that universe, women are never disrespected. “They aren’t beaten, objectified, or shown as one of many wives, even though that society could have allowed it,” she wrote.
Saumya also highlighted that the film’s tone doesn’t suit the typical glamorous portrayal of heroines. “Sorry that the grain of this story doesn’t allow for glamorous heroines singing songs on exotic beaches,” she said, adding that she hopes to explore women-centric roles in the future.
