Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone has finally responded to social media backlash over her apparent absence from the promotional campaign of husband Ranveer Singh's blockbuster film Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge.
The film, released on March 19, has been performing strongly at the box office, but fans and netizens noticed Deepika had not publicly promoted it on her social media, unlike her enthusiastic support for the first installment in December 2025.
A recent Instagram post asked users if her silence was "over-analysing" or a "calculated snub." Deepika's response was sharp and witty:
"The latter my friend... P.S. I watched it way before any of you did. Now who is the joke on?"
The comment came after she had remained largely silent on the online debates regarding her support, or perceived lack of it, for her husband's sequel.
Social media criticism
Fans noticed Deepika's absence at the film's special screening and her simultaneous appearance at a Mumbai concert with Ranveer Singh, which fueled speculation. One user wrote, "Deepika Padukone with her in-laws today at a private event in Mumbai. But did you guys see Deepika watching Dhurandhar: The Revenge? NO!! Why can't she support her husband's film?"
Another pointed out the contrast with her previous activism, writing, "Deepika wrote long paragraphs on Instagram about Gaza and JNU, but didn't post even a single story to congratulate her husband Ranveer Singh and the Dhurandhar 2 cast on their success. Speaks volumes!!"
The trolls also linked her silence to industry speculation, with one suggesting, "Because she doesn't want to upset SRK and lose any upcoming projects with him."
Despite the controversy, Deepika had clearly watched the film before anyone else, and her witty reply indicates that her support may simply be private rather than public.
As of now, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge continues to dominate theatres, reinforcing Ranveer Singh's box-office pull.