Siddharth Anand Opens Up About The Boycott Movement Against Pathaan

Siddharth Anand, whose film Pathaan shattered multiple records, has spoken out about the boycott movement against the film. In a new interview, Siddharth was asked if he had 'checkmated the boycott brigade'. Siddharth stated that he did not need to say anything because the audience's reaction spoke for itself. He described the crowd as 'very sophisticated,' adding that they'see through any agenda'.

Pathaan, directed by Siddharth, stars Shah Rukh Khan, John Abraham, and Deepika Padukone. Pathaan sparked outrage last year with the release of the film's Besharam Rang song. Many people criticised it because of the saffron colour of Deepika's bikini in it. Some people were offended by the song's usage of saffron and green clothing. On social media, there was even a boycott trend against the film. In an interview, Siddharth spoke about the boycott trend, "I didn't say anything, I don't have to say anything. The audience has said it. The fact that the audiences came in such huge numbers means they knew that there was nothing to what these calls were trying to say. So it was not that they waited and came in the evening to hear about it, like ‘Oh, my god, is this what they're saying? Is it true what they are trying to say?’ The results came in through advance numbers itself. So I think the audience is too smart. I think we just underestimate the audience's intelligence. They see through any agenda now. So we didn't have to say anything or do anything." Talking about the emotions of the fans after watching Pathaan, Siddharth added, "Oh, it was crazy! I mean, I keep getting videos of the rejoicing of people. What they're doing at the end of the film, in the middle of the film, they’re dancing. Particularly the scene where Dimple Kapadia’s character dies, and Shah Rukh Khan’s character gives a salute. I saw a video where the audience unfolded the Indian flag in the theatre. So the fact that they carried a flag into the theatre means what kinds of emotions the film is carrying." In ten days, the film has already grossed 729 crores worldwide. Pathaan is the fourth film in Aditya Chopra's spy universe. It follows Salman Khan's Ek Tha Tiger (2012) and Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), as well as War, which stars Hrithik Roshan (2019).