Pakistani actor Javed Sheikh, widely recognized by Indian audiences for his role in ‘Om Shanti Om’, has found himself at the center of online criticism after scenes from his latest show surfaced on social media. The actor, who portrayed Shah Rukh Khan’s on-screen father in the film, is now being called out for his character in the Pakistani drama ‘Jahannum Ba’raasta Jannat’.
Role draws comparisons with ‘Dhurandhar ‘
In the viral footage, Javed Sheikh essays the role of Preetum Jaypal, a character that viewers believe closely mirrors R Madhavan’s Ajay Sanyal from the ‘Dhurandhar’ franchise. The narrative includes elements like intelligence operations, references to RAW, and mentions of Operation Sindoor, drawing parallels with themes explored in ‘Dhurandhar’.The storyline reportedly revolves around attempts to create unrest, with the character deploying operatives in sensitive regions, further intensifying the comparisons.
Social media reacts strongly
As clips gained traction online, particularly on Reddit, users expressed disappointment and criticism over both the content and its execution. One comment read, “Pakistani actor Javed Sheikh after working for decades in Bollywood, is now making B-grade Pakistani propaganda films to spread hate against India.”Another user took a dig at the portrayal, writing, “Lol, and Pakistanis were talking about ‘not doing enough research’ about pak in indian movies.” A third added, “And all this time he was earning off Bollywood and giving interviews like he doesn’t go to Bollywood, Bollywood specially requests him to come here and act.”Criticism also extended to the production quality, with a user stating, “Ngl, this looks like a cheap cringe vertical shows whose ads also come on yt, pure cringe bakwaas. Lol.”One Redditor even speculated external influence, commenting, “He is a Pakistani Army puppet atm. May be under pressure. I am a Pakistani. He shouldnt be spreading such a negative messege. Dont spit in the plate that once fed you.”Despite the backlash, Javed Sheikh has had a long association with Hindi cinema. Apart from ‘Om Shanti Om’, he has appeared in films like ‘Namastey London’, ‘Jannat’, ‘Apne’, ‘Shikhar’, ‘Kajraare’, and ‘Tamasha’. His role as Rajesh Kapoor in ‘Om Shanti Om’ remains one of his most memorable performances for Indian audiences.
Debate around content continues
The controversy has once again sparked conversations around cross-border storytelling and creative liberties. While some view it as fiction inspired by popular themes, others have criticized it for its perceived messaging and resemblance to films like ‘Dhurandhar’.
