Raees director SLAMS Aditya Dhar and other winners for SKIPPING awards night

Filmmaker Rahul Dholakia has stirred a fresh debate in the film industry after openly expressing his disappointment over award winners skipping a major ceremony. His strong words quickly grabbed attention online, with many trying to decode who his remarks were aimed at.

While he did not name anyone directly, social media users were quick to connect the dots, especially after some of the biggest winners of the night were noticeably absent despite taking home top honours.

Strong Words From Rahul Dholakia

Taking to X, Dholakia did not hold back as he pointed out how several nominees and winners chose not to attend the event. He made it clear that while such behaviour may not surprise him anymore, it still leaves him disappointed, especially when efforts are being made to create a more credible awards platform.

He also hinted at a larger issue within the industry, suggesting that many only attend ceremonies when they are certain of winning. According to him, this mindset reflects a lack of genuine support for initiatives that attempt to bring authenticity to award shows.

Absences That Sparked Speculation

Among those who were missing from the ceremony were Aditya Dhar and Ranveer Singh, both of whom had a successful night in terms of wins. Dhar picked up awards for his work on Dhurandhar, including Best Director and Best Dialogue, but was not present to receive them.

In his absence, the awards were collected by the film’s sound designer Bishwadeep Chatterjee. Ranveer Singh, who won Best Actor for the same film, was also not seen at the event, further fueling conversations around Dholakia’s comments.

Internet Divided Over The Debate

As expected, Dholakia’s post triggered mixed reactions online. While some agreed with his stance and called for greater accountability, others pushed back, questioning the expectations placed on artists.

A section of users even brought up past criticism faced by Dhurandhar, arguing that those who were vocal against the film should not expect its team to participate in celebrations. The debate quickly turned into a larger conversation about industry politics and the value of award shows.

Big Wins But Bigger Questions

Despite the controversy, the awards night saw Dhurandhar dominate with a total of 14 wins. Yami Gautam won Best Actress for Haq, while Best Film went to Homebound. Akshaye Khanna and Shalini Vats secured supporting acting honours.

However, the spotlight has now shifted from the winners to the debate itself. With strong opinions on both sides, Dholakia’s remarks have once again brought attention to how award shows function and how seriously they are taken within the industry today.