In a new Instagram post, Pakistani actor Adnan Siddiqui discussed the misrepresentation of Pakistanis in Sidharth Malhotra's Mission Majnu. A section of the audience criticized Mission Majnu for stereotyping people from the other side of the border. Adnan shared his thoughts on the subject. Adnan co-starred in the Hindi film Mom with the late actress Sridevi and Pakistani actor Sajal Ali. He took to Instagram to criticize Mission Majnu. His post also urged Bollywood to hire good researchers and do proper homework the next time.
According to the actor, 'there’s so much in Mission Majnu that’s distasteful and factually incorrect'. Sidharth Malhotra plays an Indian spy in Pakistan in the inspired-by-real-life incident 1970s. Adnan shared a representational photo of a person showing a thumbs-down sign. He wrote in his caption,
Adnan chastised Mission Majnu for the appearance of the characters in the film. He further wrote, "Or allow me to help. Make sure to take notes. No, we don’t wear skull caps, surma (kohl), tawiz (an amulet or locket worn for good luck and protection, common in South Asia). No, we don’t ask janab (sir) about their mijaz (mood); no, we don’t go around throwing adaab (greeting in Urdu)."
The actor further wrote, "There’s so much in Mission Majnu that’s distasteful and factually incorrect. The hero’s savior complex would’ve been accentuated more if the villain was shown at par. A weak antagonist embellishes an even weaker protagonist. Poor story, poorer execution, poorest research. Next time, come and visit us. We are good hosts. Will show you how we look like, dress up and live."
Since Mission Majnu's trailer release, the film was called out for stereotyping Pakistani culture. Some even listed the factual errors and blunders shown in the trailer. Siddharth Malhotra recently addressed stereotyping of Pakistanis in Bollywood in an interview. When asked if his character in Mission Majnu contributes to the perpetuation of stereotypes of Pakistanis in Hindi films, the actor told Film Companion, "We have consciously made an effort in the writing that it is never to take on a particular community..."
On January 20, 2023, Netflix released Mission Majnu. Shantanu Bagchi directs the spy thriller, which also stars Rashmika Mandanna.
