Actor Defends Playing Terrorist Role Amidst Hindu Dialogue Backlash

Vivek Sinha, known for his role as hijacker Zahoor Mistry in 'Dhurandhar' and its sequel, recently spoke out about a social media reaction to his performance. A female viewer criticized Sinha for portraying a terrorist and delivering lines perceived as anti-Hindu, especially given his own Hindu faith. She sent him a message on Instagram, suggesting he should be ashamed for accepting the role for monetary gain.

Sinha responded to the viewer via a voice note, explaining the nature of acting. He stated that films reflect society and that portraying a terrorist necessitates embodying their beliefs and mannerisms. He questioned whether one should recruit actual terrorists or murderers to perform such roles, emphasizing that actors undertake these parts to authentically depict the characters' cruelty and ideologies for the audience.

The controversial dialogue occurs in a hijacking scene where Sinha's character, Zahoor, states, "Hindus are a cowardly community; we live in the neighborhood. Put all your strength, and mess up whatever you can." Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film features a prominent cast including Ranveer Singh and Arjun Rampal. 'Dhurandhar' was released on March 19, 2026, and has reportedly earned over Rs 850 crores in its initial 12 days in India.