Sidharth Malhotra under fire after portraying a Pakistani stereotype in his Netflix film Mission Majnu

Nothing causes a stir more quickly than a debate ignited between Pakistan and India; and Mission Majnu proved just that. 

Sidharth Malhotra’s new film Mission Majnu trailer dropped on YouTube that fumed Pakistanis due to the culturally misfit representations of Muslims and Bollywood’s failure to break the false stereotype associated with Muslims and Pakistanis. This spy thriller, that claims to be inspired by true events, takes a jibe at Muslims that did not sit well with Pakistanis. Sidharth Malhotra, who is essaying the role of Amandeep Singh in the film, plays an Indian spy disguising himself as a Muslim in Pakistan to neutralize the nuclear weapons Pakistan is producing.

Have a look at the trailer of the film here:

 

While Indians were all praises for the lead actor and the production team of the film, Pakistanis, on the other hand, could not overlook the misrepresentation of Muslims. Sidharth is shown impersonating a Muslim who wears kajal, a tawiz, and shalwar kameez alongside with a traditional cap often wore in the mosque. He is also spotted saying adaab in the trailer, which added fuel to the fire.

Criticism for the characterization of his role

One Twitter user wrote: “According to Bollywood, all Muslim men roam around like this! Surma, gamcha, taweez aur topi are our national assets! And also, anyone who is dressed like this is always an atangwadi! Sidharth Malhotra is now officially the brand embarrassment of propaganda movies.”

According to Bollywood, all muslim men roam around like this! Surma, gamcha, taweez aur topi are our national assets! And also, anyone who is dressed like this is always an atangwadi! Siddharth Malhotra is now officially the brand embarrassment of propaganda movies#MissionMajnu pic.twitter.com/r8svO2ixfF

— Khadija Abbas (@TheKhadijaAbbas) January 10, 2023

Twitter users could not help but take a dig at the poor screenwriting

10/10 for character research. https://t.co/yCxO3XxjEp pic.twitter.com/l8cyvD243l

— LIFE. (@Gondalism) January 10, 2023

It was a spree of attacks across border

“Spoiler: Pakistan still made a nuclear bomb. Mission Majnu failed.”

Spoiler: Pakistan still made a nuclear bomb. Mission Majnu failed. pic.twitter.com/0I4XpiYe67

— Zee Yousafzai (@zmkud) January 10, 2023

“Mission Majnu Failed. Pakistan became a Nuclear State.”

Mission Majnu Failed. Pakistan became a Nuclear State. pic.twitter.com/D4LHUNlQds

— Taimoor Zaman (@taimoorze) January 10, 2023

The adaab debate is as real as it gets

“Indian Spy in Pakistan: “Adaab bhai Jan” Pickups by ISI before the bhai jan even reply “walaikum adaab”

Indian Spy in Pakistan: "Adaab bhai Jan"

Pickups by ISI before the bhai jan even reply "walaikum adaab" https://t.co/MEVpIvckgh

— Naima (@HayatSaddozai14) January 13, 2023

Where’s the lie?

“Aesi dressing to main Jumma ki namaz main bhi nahi karta”

Aesi dressing to main Jumma ki namaz main bhi nahi karta pic.twitter.com/kB9CneLRk2

— Saboor Alii (@sabooralii) January 10, 2023

The verdict against Mission Majnu has been out and Pakistanis has declared it as a comedy film

Can't wait to watch this comedy film* https://t.co/7xUhrya5qE

— ajeeb. (@hokyarahahaii) January 13, 2023

“komedyy”

komedyy😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/CYYYFjlyYF

— a. (@buzybeee_) January 13, 2023

We couldn’t agree more

“I’ve spent an unhealthy amount of time today going through Pakistani memes on Mission Majnu but God has it been worth it”

I've spent an unhealthy amount of time today going through Pakistani memes on Mission Majnu 😭but god has it been worth it 😂😂🤣💯

— Rutaba | رُطابہ (@rtnvir) January 10, 2023

These tweets had us laughing out loud

“RAW HQ : Hello, what’s happening there… any news about mission Majnu? Tailor: Sorry Boss it’s Eid ul Fitar season, I’m busy, can’t talk, see you after Eid ul Adha… Bye. HQ: Hello…. Hello…”

RAW HQ : Hello, what's happening there… any news about mission Majnu?
Tailor :Sorry Boss it's Eid ul fitar season, I'm busy, can't talk, see you after Eid ul Adha… Bye.
HQ: Hello…. Hello… pic.twitter.com/0cEbJ83avC

— Noir Osain (@NoirOsain) January 10, 2023

Deleted scenes from Mission Majnu pic.twitter.com/NIuhJbMGtU

— Aimuhhh 🇵🇰 (@Aimaimrankhan) January 11, 2023

“Perception Vs Reality”

Perception Vs Reality #MissionMajnu pic.twitter.com/g8dcCuNwpS

— BlackStork (@kkTHEdefender) January 11, 2023

The film stars Sidharth Malhotra, Bhumika Chawla, Sharib Hashmi, Parmeet Sethi and Kumud Mishra in pivotal roles and is directed by Shantanu Bagchi. The motion picture is set to screen on Netflix on January 20.