Pakistani film critic Tamur Iqbal is facing intense backlash following his negative review of the recently released film 'Nadaaniyan,' which stars actor Ibrahim Ali Khan, the son of Bollywood superstar Saif Ali Khan. The review has sparked outrage predominantly from Indian social media users, leading to Iqbal receiving countless abusive messages.
The controversy erupted shortly after the film, which debuted on Netflix on March 7, 2025, garnered varied responses. Ibrahim Ali Khan, making his acting debut, reportedly reached out to Iqbal via Instagram direct message after the critic lambasted the movie, calling it simply "a bad movie." Iqbal, through his video updates, has shared how he has been inundated with threats and derogatory comments since the review went live.
"This is an update. 48 hours later, the gaaliyaan, the abusive messages have still not stopped on my Instagram... the threats... predominantly coming from Indian social media users who are still visibly upset about my review," Iqbal stated, highlighting the aggressive reaction to his critique.
He criticized those who have aimed their fury at him, advising detractors to "take a chill pill" and emphasizing, "Don’t turn it [the issue] related to Indo-Pak rivalry. It’s not. Take a chill pill. It’s just a bad movie; I posted a story about it, and it got the attention of Ibrahim Ali Khan, leading to this entire mess." Iqbal's remarks suggest he views the backlash as overly dramatic, fueled by misplaced national pride rather than cinematic merit.
For various reasons, drama has woven throughout this exchange. While the unhappy critic tried to take the brunt of the backlash by asking the public not to engage, he also expressed bemusement at the unwanted attention. "On a lighter note, the leading stars should thank me for creating this controversy about a movie which was completely dead and buried at this point. Now at least people might think about watching it again. It’s a terrible, lousy movie. Watch it if you want to destroy your Sunday. And Ibrahim, good luck!" he quipped, illustrating his mix of humor and frustration.
The clash came to light after Iqbal shared what he claimed was a screenshot of his conversation with Ibrahim. Iqbal, after receiving harsh online repercussions, revealed, "Tamur almost like Taimoor... you got my brother’s name. Guess what you don’t got? His face. You ugly piece of trash. Since you can’t keep your words to yourself, don’t bother, they’re irrelevant just like you. Ugly goddamn piece of shit I feel bad for you and your family – and if I see you on the streets one day, I’ll make sure I leave you uglier than you are – you walking piece of scum," which purportedly shows Ibrahim’s indignation and colorful way of addressing the review.
The public discourse around this incident has provoked discussions beyond the film itself. Critics have begun to question how film reviews should be received and perceived, especially when the reviewers face harassment for voicing dissenting opinions. Iqbal's experience raises eyebrows about the increasingly volatile environment surrounding film critique, especially when exacerbated by the nuances of nationality.
Overall, as 'Nadaaniyan' navigates the tumultuous waters of its release, the incident stands as a reminder of both the fervor inherent to the film culture and the potential repercussions for those daring to critique it. The narrative raises questions: How should critics protect themselves against potential backlash? What does this say about audience tolerance for honest feedback?
This latest exchange between Iqbal and Ibrahim might even propel some curiosity for 'Nadaaniyan,' compelling some viewers to check it out, curious about the film submerged beneath this social media storm.
This new film, featuring prominent figures such as Khushi Kapoor, Dia Mirza, Mahima Chaudhry, Suniel Shetty, and Jugal Hansraj, undoubtedly has introduced Ibrahim Ali Khan to the cinematic world. Still, whether successful or derailed by its reputation, the narrative surrounding it seems enriched by this unusual back-and-forth.
