Veteran actor Suniel Shetty has publicly defended Varun Dhawan against a wave of online criticism over his look and performance in the upcoming war drama Border 2. The film is slated for theatrical release on January 23, 2026, just days away, and stars an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Shetty’s son Ahan Shetty in pivotal roles.
Defending Against Social Media Backlash
The chatter picked up after the release of the film’s promotional song, ‘Ghar Kab Aaoge,’ on January 2, with Varun Dhawan’s visuals drawing mixed reactions online. Some users mocked Dhawan’s facial expressions and questioned his suitability for the role of a military officer, particularly his trademark smile, which became fodder for memes and short-form videos across platforms.
In response, Suniel Shetty, an original cast member from the 1997 blockbuster Border, slammed what he described as premature judgment. Speaking to Bombay Times, Shetty said, “Has anybody seen the film? Nobody has seen the film. We’ve only seen glimpses. Varun Dhawan will kill it in the film – he’s outstanding.” He urged audiences to refrain from making snap judgments before the movie’s official release, calling out the culture of “trashing someone and running them down” online.
Shetty further emphasized that Dhawan’s role is that of a highly decorated officer, not a caricature of the actor himself, and that such nuanced performances cannot be fairly assessed from short clips or song sequences. The senior actor’s remarks also reflect his broader stance against aggressive trolling on social media, especially when it involves meaningful creative work.
Meanwhile Shetty enters “Bharat ke Super Founders” as host
Shetty is also hosting and mentoring Amazon MX Player’s entrepreneurial reality series Bharat Ke Super Founders, streaming from January 16, featuring pitches for a ₹100 crore real investment pool. The show brings together aspiring founders from across India to present their business ideas to a panel of seasoned industry tycoons, with a ₹100 crore real investment pool up for grabs to fund promising ventures.
Shetty has spoken about Bharat Ke Super Founders as an opportunity to democratize entrepreneurship and spotlight founders whose ideas could drive meaningful change across Bharat. Unlike typical television drama-driven formats, the series focuses on substantive pitching and transparent investment decisions, aiming to create a supportive environment where entrepreneurs can learn, grow, and succeed. His enthusiastic involvement reflects both his belief in nurturing India’s next generation of innovators and his evolution into a credible mentor figure within the business reality show landscape.
Looking Ahead
As Border 2 heads toward its theatrical release, Suniel Shetty’s strong defence of Varun Dhawan underscores a larger call for patience and fairness in how performances are judged in the age of instant online reactions. At the same time, his growing presence as a mentor on Bharat Ke Super Founders highlights an actor evolving beyond the screen using his influence to back both creative integrity and real-world innovation. Whether standing up for a fellow actor or championing India’s next wave of entrepreneurs, Shetty continues to position himself as a voice of experience, responsibility, and conviction in the public sphere.
By – Sonali