The controversy erupted late last week when screenshots of Reet’s fiery responses to Instagram users went viral, where she grouped Dhurandhar 2 with The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story as "government-friendly" narratives.
The Viral Comments: What Reet Padda Said 💬
Reet did not hold back in her critique of the film’s geopolitical and economic themes:
On 'Dhurandhar 2': She described the film as a "government-friendly narrative," specifically accusing it of using political speeches to justify the 2016 demonetisation, which she termed a "minor hiccup."
The "Propaganda" Tag: When asked if she considered it propaganda, she wrote: "Call it propaganda? Yep. Deny it? Not a chance. But maybe your definition of propaganda is... different, who knows."
On 'The Kashmir Files' & 'Kerala Story': She accused these films of using "creative math" and "absurdly inflated numbers" (referring to the '32,000 women' claim) to push a narrative against a specific community.
The "Genocide" Remark: She clarified that she doesn't discriminate against individuals but against "political figures who drag religion into politics," specifically referencing the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The "Priyanka Chopra" Dig 🐦
Reet also extended her criticism to global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas regarding a viral moment at the 2026 Oscars (held last week):
The Silence: Reet called out Priyanka for not joining her co-presenter in addressing the Israel-Gaza conflict on stage.
The "Dodo" Comparison: She wrote that if her sister (Aneet) were in that position and chose to "stand there like a dodo bird," she would be the first to call her out.
Social Media Backlash & The "Anti-National" Label 🚫
The reaction from the "Dhurandhar" fanbase was swift and brutal:
"Anti-India" Allegations: Many users accused Reet of having a biased perspective, especially after rumours surfaced that she is currently living in Europe with a Pakistani partner.
Targeting Aneet Padda: The backlash bled over to her sister, Aneet Padda. Fans began tagging director Aditya Dhar, requesting him never to cast Aneet in his future projects.
The Digital Exit: After initially making her profile private, Reet deleted her Instagram (@reetpadda_) on Sunday, March 29. Her LinkedIn profile has also been deactivated.
SantaBanta Verdict:
This controversy highlights the deeply polarized reception of Dhurandhar 2. While the masses are hailing it as a masterpiece of "New India's" cinema, critics like Reet Padda view it as a tool for political messaging. For Aneet Padda, who is set to star in Maddock Films' Shakti Shalini this Christmas, the timing of her sister's viral outburst could not be more complicated.
