As the countdown to the Republic Day release of Border 2 begins, a massive controversy has erupted involving allegations of an organized “paid PR” campaign designed to sabotage the film. Popular social media influencer Thara Bhai Joginder has claimed he was offered a staggering ₹5 lakh to post a negative video criticizing Varun Dhawan’s acting in the upcoming war drama.
The Sting: “Paisa Lo Aur Acting Ki Burai Karo”
Joginder took to Instagram on Saturday to share a shocking video and an alleged call recording of his conversation with a middleman. In the clip, Joginder reveals that he was instructed to claim that Varun Dhawan’s performance in the song Ghar Kab Aaoge was “ganda” (bad) and “unserious.”
The influencer lashed out at the caller, questioning their integrity for targeting a film that honors the Indian Army. “Tu humare Hindustan ka hai ya Pakistan ka?” Joginder is heard shouting in the recording after the man reportedly dismissed the importance of soldiers. Joginder further threatened to file a police complaint, stating that no amount of money could buy his loyalty against a patriotic project.
Producer Hits Back: “Anti-National” Trolls
The film’s producer, Nidhi Dutta (daughter of legendary filmmaker J.P. Dutta), has taken a fierce stand against the online backlash. Responding to reports of coordinated trolling, she labeled the perpetrators “anti-national.”
“Congratulations to all the ANTI-NATIONALS who can pay to bring down an actor playing a PVC [Param Vir Chakra awardee] of this country,” she wrote on X. “This is YOUR film, India! Hope the audiences find and shame these people.”
The controversy follows a wave of memes and criticism directed at Varun Dhawan’s facial expressions in the newly released track Ghar Kab Aaoge. While some netizens felt the trolling was organic, the leaked recording and screenshots shared on Reddit suggest a more manufactured effort to damage the film’s reputation.
Varun Dhawan’s “Witty” Response
Despite the storm, Varun Dhawan appears unfazed. When a user on Instagram asked him about the acting critiques, Varun replied, “Yehi sawaal ne gaana hit karadia. Sab enjoy kar rahe hai. Rab di mehar.” (This very question made the song a hit. Everyone is enjoying it. God is great.)
Border 2, directed by Anurag Singh, is a sequel to the 1997 classic and features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty. The film is inspired by the real-life heroics of PVC Colonel Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, played by Varun.
Quick Facts: Border 2 Controversy
| Aspect | Details |
| Release Date | January 23, 2026 |
| The Allegation | ₹5 Lakh offer to influencers for negative reviews |
| The Song | Ghar Kab Aaoge (Sung by Sonu Nigam) |
| The Defense | Producer calls trolls “anti-national” for attacking an Army-based film |