Comedian Zakir Khan recently took the stage as host at a Bollywood awards show, where his monologue touched upon the current mood in the film industry. Adding his signature humour, he referenced the success of Dhurandhar and hinted that not everyone was entirely pleased with its impact. While many in the audience took it as a playful dig, the remark didn’t sit well with a section of the industry. 

During his act, Zakir said, “Kitne hi congratulatory posts aap daal dein, kitni hi stories daal dein, kitne hi interview mein aap bol dein ‘my favourite film’, magar sach toh yeh hai ki Dhurandhar se sabki jalti toh hai”. The line drew laughter at the venue, but it also sparked debate beyond the stage, with some feeling it crossed the line from humour to commentary.

Siddharth Anand reacted strongly to the joke, writing, “Juhu – Bandra peeps have given all ATBB’s (all-time blockbusters) since the past 50 years. You have to be a real duffer to undermine their contribution”.  Interestingly, filmmaker Siddharth Anand had been among the first to praise the film earlier.

Juhu – Bandra peeps have given all ATBB’s since the past 50 years. You have to be a real duffer to undermine their contribution 😂

— Siddharth Anand (@justSidAnand) April 7, 2026

Ameesha Patel also weighed in, defending the industry and calling for a more positive outlook. She posted, “DUDE, Stop spreading NEGATIVITY! The film industry has valued and respected DHURANDHAR! Superstars like SRK, SALMAN, SUNNY, HRITHIK, AJAY, etc. have given not just one but 25-plus mega hits and will continue to do so. CHILL, GADAR bahut saalon se sabne machai hai, aur aage bhi machaayenge”.

DUDE-Stop spreading NEGATIVITY!film industry has valued n respected DHURANDHAR!Superstars like SRK,SALMAN,SUNNY , HRITHIK,AJAY et have given not just 1 but 25 plus mega hits n will continue to do so�CHILL-GADAR bahut saalon se sabne already machai hain aur aage bhi machaayenge� pic.twitter.com/MqOD74LH83

— ameesha patel (@ameesha_patel) April 7, 2026

Also Read: Zakir Khan treats Hasan Minhaj to Indore’s famous street food

There’s a certain kind of curiosity that surrounds celebrity relationships today, one that often confuses visibility with validation. And few couples attract that level of scrutiny quite like Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. So when Ranveer’s latest film, Dhurandhar 2, began making noise, it didn’t take long for social media to notice what it believed was missing: Deepika’s voice.

Except, as it turns out, nothing was missing at all.

For days, timelines were abuzz with questions about why Deepika hadn’t posted, cheered, or publicly celebrated her husband’s release in the way fans have come to expect from celebrity spouses. In the age of Instagram stories and carefully timed posts, silence tends to invite speculation. But Deepika has never quite played by those rules. Her equation with public attention has always been more measured, more intentional.

Check out the conversation screenshot:

The chatter peaked when a viral reel wondered aloud whether her silence was a statement in itself or simply the internet reading too much into it. Deepika’s response? Effortless, cheeky, and cutting through the noise in a single stroke. “The latter my friend… P.S. I watched it way before any of you did. Now who is the joke on?” she commented.

It’s the kind of reply that lands instantly. Not loud, not defensive, but precise enough to reset the conversation. In just a couple of lines, she reminded everyone that access doesn’t always come with an announcement. That being present in someone’s life doesn’t require real-time documentation.

Those who’ve followed Deepika closely would recognise this instinct. She has, over the years, drawn a clear line between what she shares and what she chooses to hold close. Her support for Ranveer has rarely been about grand gestures for public consumption; it’s often been visible in quieter ways, in presence, in partnership, in simply being there long before the applause arrives.

And perhaps that’s what her comment really underlines. While the world reacts to a finished film, she’s been part of the journey leading up to it. The long hours, the uncertainties, the creative process, those moments don’t make it to social media, but they matter far more.

In a digital culture that thrives on immediacy and optics, Deepika Padukone’s response feels like a gentle correction. Not everything needs to be posted to be real. Not every silence carries meaning. And sometimes, the strongest statements are the ones that don’t try too hard to be heard.

Also Read: Deepika Padukone’s Birthday Wish for Prakash Padukone is Heartwarming

Allu Arjun celebrates another birthday on April 8. His journey from an energetic youngster to a pan-India icon inspires fans with his unmatched dance, style, and screen presence. Here is a special look at eight key films, focusing on his performance and character.