Zeeshan Ayyub Criticises Raanjhanaa Starring Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor for Its Problematic Themes
Zeeshan Ayyub Criticises Raanjhanaa Starring Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor for Its Problematic Themes
Although Aanand L. Rai’s Raanjhanaa became a commercial hit upon its 2013 release, the film has increasingly come under scrutiny in recent years. Many viewers now argue that the story romanticizes stalking and obsessive affection, presenting harmful behaviour as love. The conversation has resurfaced yet again — this time in connection with Dhanush and Kriti Sanon’s Tere Ishk Mein, which is receiving similar criticism right as audiences watch it.
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, who played a significant role in Raanjhanaa and also appears in a cameo in Tere Ishk Mein, addressed the issue during an interview with The Sheroes TV. Looking back at the film’s portrayal of Dhanush’s character, he openly acknowledged that the backlash is justified.
“I didn’t defend it then, and I won’t defend it now,” Ayyub said. “A lot of people tried to justify the behaviour shown in the film, but I can’t. The narrative was problematic, and the movie definitely supported it. Adding aggression to one-sided love is not romantic — it’s wrong. And defending that is equally wrong.”
The actor emphasized that calling out such depictions is essential rather than dismissing them as “just cinema.” He explained, “People often say it’s only art and that we should let it go, but that’s not how it works. If a film showcases something harmful, it’s important to talk about it and critique it. We need to evaluate even the things that appear right. Only then can society progress.” – Zeeshan Ayyub Criticises Raanjhanaa Starring Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor for Its Problematic Themes
In a surprising turn, Raanjhanaa recently returned to theatres with an AI-crafted alternate ending. The original climax shows Kundan (Dhanush) dying after being shot, with Zoya (Sonam Kapoor) by his side. The AI-generated version flips the conclusion entirely—Kundan survives and wakes up in a hospital as Bindiya (Swara Bhasker) and Murari (Ayyub) rejoice.
However, this new version has triggered a major conflict between director Aanand L. Rai and production house Eros. While Eros has defended the altered cut and insisted that the studio is within its rights, Rai has strongly condemned the move, arguing that the AI edit was released without his consent and could set a “dangerous precedent” for filmmaking.
Escalating the tension, Eros has now accused Rai of allegedly incorporating elements from the Raanjhanaa intellectual property into his upcoming film Tere Ishk Mein, deepening the ongoing dispute.
Zeeshan Ayyub Criticises Raanjhanaa Starring Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor for Its Problematic Themes
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