Border 2 producer Nidhi Dutta calls out paid smear campaign against Varun Dhawan: ‘Hope the audiences shame these people’

08 January,2026 05:11 PM IST |  Mumbai  |  mid-day online correspondent

Border 2 producer Nidhi Dutta has slammed trolls questioning Varun Dhawan’s casting in the film, calling it a paid smear campaign. Defending the actor, she urged audiences to identify and shame those deliberately targeting him ahead of the film’s release

Nidhi Dutta and Varun Dhawan


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Varun Dhawan is currently gearing up for the release of Border 2. While the song and teaser received a positive response, a section of netizens is questioning Varun's casting in the film. An X user claimed that the actor is being targeted and that a paid smear campaign is going on against him. Border 2 producer Nidhi Dutta took to X to slam people.

Nidhi Dutta slams those targeting Varun Dhawan

The X account named CineHub tweeted, "The LATEST TARGET of this paid smear campaign is Varun Dhawan. Certain Instagram influencers are clearly doing this on instructions, running a full-fledged agenda to malign Varun in Border 2… From BODY-SHAMING to selectively targeting his expressions, everything feels forced!! Especially when his performance is actually perfectly suited for the film. This dirty game needs to STOP because no matter what Border 2 is gonna take BUMPER START EVERYWHERE."

Replying to it, Dutta wrote, "Congratulations to all the ANTI-NATIONALS THAT CAN PAY TO BRING DOWN AN ACTOR PLAYING A PVC OF THIS COUNTRY. This is YOUR FILM INDIA! Hope the audiences find and shame these people (sic)."

Recently, on one of Varun's Instagram posts, a fan commented, "Bhai apka acting pe sawal utha raha hai log, uske liye kya bolega (sic)." Replying to the fan, the actor wrote, "Yehi sawaal ne gaana hit kara diya, sab enjoy kar rahe hain, rab di mehar (sic)."

About Border 2

Border 2 is slated to release on January 23, 2026. The film is directed by Anurag Singh and also stars Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty. The film also has four female leads: Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, and Medha Rana. While revisiting the Battle of Longewala from the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the film also expands its narrative to include stories of sacrifice from the Indian Navy and Air Force.

In Border 2, Varun Dhawan plays an Indian Army officer inspired by real-life hero PVC Colonel Hoshiar Singh Dahiya. Speaking about his intense preparation, Varun revealed, "I injured my tailbone while shooting the Battle of Basantar. I shot for 40 days in Babina with real soldiers."

Varun's upcoming movies

Varun Dhawan and David Dhawan are reuniting for the fourth time with Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The Ramesh Taurani production will feature Pooja Hegde as the female lead, along with Mrunal Thakur.

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