Actor Varun Dhawan has addressed the wave of trolling he has been facing ahead of the release of his upcoming film Border 2, making it clear that the online noise does not affect him. Speaking at the Braves Of The Soil tribute trailer launch for Border 2, Varun responded calmly and confidently, stating that criticism and memes are part of the industry and that his focus remains firmly on making good films.

The actor has been under scrutiny ever since the song Ghar Kab Aaoge from Border 2 was released. A section of social media users began trolling Varun over his performance in the song, particularly targeting his facial expressions and smile. What started as criticism soon turned into memes, sparking widespread online chatter about his casting and portrayal in the film.

In a video shared by a fan on X (formerly Twitter), Varun was asked directly about the “noise” surrounding his involvement in Border 2. Responding candidly, he said that he believes in tuning out distractions and letting his work speak for itself. “I believe that you shut down the noise and just let your work do the talking. Yeh sab cheezein chalti rehti hai. It doesn’t really matter,” Varun said, adding that such reactions are inevitable in public life.

He further clarified that he does not work for online validation or trends. “Main iske liye kaam karta hoon. Main jis cheeze ke liye kaam karta hoon woh iss Friday ko pata chalega,” he said, indicating that audiences will judge his work once the film releases in theatres. According to Varun, the real test of an actor’s effort lies on the big screen, not on social media timelines.

Varun Dhawan responds to trolls targeting his role in Border 2.
The actor says feedback is welcome, but asks audiences to watch the film before judging.#VarunDhawan #Border2 #BollywoodTrolls #FilmTwitter #IndianCinema pic.twitter.com/GH5MDEReAe

— Thegossipgully.com (@thegossipgully) January 20, 2026

Varun went on to emphasise that for him, the most important thing is the quality of the film. “Mujhe film pe bharosa hai. Ek achi film banana bohot important hai,” he said, expressing strong faith in Border 2. He also made it clear that box office numbers are not what drive him. “Obviously, numbers yeh sab cheezein mera kuch lena dena nahi hai isse. But I believe ki humne ek achi film banayi hai,” he added.

Sharing his belief in the theatrical experience, Varun said that once audiences step into cinemas, everything else fades into the background. “Log jab theatre mein jaate hai, sab bhool jaate hai. They want to be entertained, that’s it,” he said. He concluded by stating that he comes from a school of thought where work speaks louder than opinions. “Main use school se aata hoon jahan aapka kaam bolta hai,” he remarked.

Amid the criticism, Varun also received strong support from Suniel Shetty, who was part of the original 1997 blockbuster Border. Speaking to Bombay Times, Suniel addressed the trolling surrounding Varun’s performance after the release of Ghar Kab Aaoge. He questioned the basis of the criticism, pointing out that no one has actually seen the film yet. “Has anybody seen the film (Border 2)? Nobody has seen the film. We’ve only seen glimpses,” Suniel said.

Backing Varun wholeheartedly, Suniel added, “Varun Dhawan will kill it in the film — he’s outstanding.” He further urged people to be more thoughtful before passing judgments online. “Varun is not playing himself; he is playing a decorated officer who has given his life for the country. I think we should think a little before going out there and saying these things,” he said. Suniel also highlighted how easy it has become to target actors on social media. “Today, it’s very easy to trash someone and run them down,” he added.

Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 is the sequel to J P Dutta’s iconic 1997 war film Border. The film is set against the backdrop of the India–Pakistan war of 1971 and aims to honour the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers. The ensemble cast includes Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, Medha Rana, and Mona Singh, alongside Varun Dhawan.

Scheduled for a theatrical release on January 23, Border 2 carries high expectations, both because of its legacy and its star-studded cast. As the release date approaches, Varun Dhawan remains unfazed by the online chatter, choosing instead to place his trust in the film and the audience—confident that once the lights go down in theatres, the work will speak for itself.

After leaving an indelible impression on Indian cinema with Tumbbad (2018), filmmaker Rahi Anil Barve is set to return to the big screen with his much-anticipated next feature, Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion. Slated for a theatrical release across India soon, the film signals a bold continuation of Barve’s fascination with obsession, greed, and the darker corners of the human psyche—this time rooted in a contemporary setting while retaining the eerie, layered storytelling that defined his earlier work.

Tumbbad earned cult status for its chilling blend of folklore, mythology, and a haunting treasure hunt driven by an insatiable lust for gold. With Mayasabha, Barve revisits that central theme of obsession, but reframes it within a modern context. While gold once again serves as a powerful symbol, it is no longer confined to mythic landscapes or ancestral curses. Instead, it becomes a metaphor woven into a more present-day world, where ambition, illusion, and desire collide in unsettling ways.

True to its evocative title, Mayasabha draws deeply from the concepts of “Maya,” meaning illusion, and “Sabha,” meaning assembly. Together, they suggest a space where reality is constantly distorted, where truth shifts depending on who is speaking, and where appearances can be dangerously deceptive. The film’s narrative power does not rest solely on its plot but is significantly amplified by its sharp and deliberate use of language. Wordplay becomes a defining feature, with dialogues layered in double meanings, hidden implications, and unexpected turns of phrase. In Mayasabha, what is said often matters as much as what is left unsaid.

This careful attention to dialogue transforms language into an essential part of the film’s atmosphere. Conversations are designed to unsettle, provoke, and linger long after they are spoken. Every exchange carries weight, reinforcing the film’s central tension between illusion and reality. Rather than relying only on visual spectacle, Barve uses words as tools to deepen the psychological unease, making Mayasabha as much an intellectual experience as it is a cinematic one.

One of the film’s most talked-about elements is the casting of Jaaved Jaaferi in a transformative role. Known primarily for his versatility across comedy, dance, and character roles, Jaaved steps into territory that promises to surprise audiences. The actor himself has described Mayasabha as the best experience of his four-decade-long career, a statement that has only heightened curiosity around his performance. Jaaved has expressed immense eagerness to showcase this role, hinting at a character that pushes boundaries and challenges familiar perceptions of his screen persona.

Sharing the screen with Jaaved Jaaferi is Mohammad Samad, who left a strong impression as a child actor in Tumbbad. Now older and stepping into a strikingly different avatar, Samad’s return creates a fascinating link between Barve’s two films. His presence adds an additional layer of continuity, while also signaling growth—both for the actor and the cinematic world Barve is building. Audiences who remember Samad from Tumbbad will be keen to see how his new role unfolds within the morally complex universe of Mayasabha.

As the film gears up for its theatrical rollout, Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion positions itself as more than just Barve’s follow-up to Tumbbad. It stands as an evolution of his storytelling voice—bolder, sharper, and deeply rooted in psychological and linguistic complexity. The search for gold remains a driving force, but it is now intertwined with modern power structures, human manipulation, and the fragile nature of truth. In this world, illusion is not merely a theme; it is a lived experience for the characters and, potentially, for the audience as well.

The film is produced by Girish Patel and Ankoor J Singh under the banner of Zirkon Films, with Pickle Entertainment—led by Sameer Dixit and Hrishikesh Bhirangi—presenting the project. Co-producers include Shamrao Bhagwan Yadav, Chanda Yadav, Keval Handa, and Manish Handa. Mayasabha – The Hall of Illusion will be released across India by Pickle Entertainment in association with UFO Moviez, ensuring a wide theatrical reach.

With its compelling cast, layered narrative style, and Barve’s distinctive vision, Mayasabha promises to be a thought-provoking cinematic experience—one where every word matters, every illusion has a purpose, and the line between reality and deception grows increasingly blurred.

The makers of Border 2 have unveiled a stirring new tribute trailer titled The Braves of the Soil, a powerful homage to the unmatched courage and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces. Presented by T-Series and JP Films, the tribute video delivers an emotional glimpse into the soul of the much-awaited war drama, reminding audiences of the bravery that protects the nation — both on the battlefield and beyond it.

The tribute trailer is set to the moving track Mitte Ke Bete, composed and arranged by Mithoon, penned by Manoj Muntashir, and rendered with heartfelt intensity by Sonu Nigam. Together, the visuals and music create a haunting montage of pivotal moments from Border 2, capturing stories of valor, separation, hope, and the unseen sacrifices made by soldiers and their families. The video doesn’t just showcase war — it honors the emotional cost of duty carried by those in uniform and the loved ones they leave behind.

The Braves of the Soil was officially unveiled at a special event attended by actors Varun Dhawan and Ahan Shetty, producers Bhushan Kumar and Nidhi Dutta, music composer Mithoon, and lyricist Manoj Muntashir. Adding immense emotional gravity to the occasion were family members of real-life war heroes and decorated veterans, whose presence underlined the film’s dedication to authenticity and respect. Among them were Colonel Sushil Kumar Dahiya, Zarin and Rustom Jamasji, Kargil War hero Naik Deepchand, and several spouses of fallen soldiers who have served in historic military operations across India’s borders.

Their attendance transformed the trailer launch into more than just a film event — it became a heartfelt tribute to real bravery. As the visuals unfolded, showcasing soldiers standing firm in the face of impossible odds and families holding onto hope at home, the message was clear: every uniform carries the weight of a nation’s pride, and every act of heroism is born from sacrifice.

Border 2 is presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in association with J.P. Dutta’s JP Films. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta, and directed by Anurag Singh. Promising large-scale action, emotional storytelling, and a renewed salute to patriotism, the film aims to continue the legacy of the iconic Border franchise.

Audiences can prepare for an unforgettable cinematic experience as Border 2 marches into theatres worldwide on January 23, 2026 — ready to honor India’s bravehearts on the big screen once again.