Social media influencer Dharna Durga, who is making her feature film debut in the upcoming Netflix comedy-thriller ‘Maa Behen’, has a clear message for those questioning her place in the project: she is too busy living her dream to pay attention to the chatter .
The debate over Dharna’s casting gained momentum last week after a viral paparazzi video from a promotional event appeared to show her being sidelined for solo photos of co-stars Madhuri Dixit and Triptii Dimri . While many viewers expressed sympathy for the newcomer, the incident quickly evolved into a larger discussion about whether digital creators are being cast for their talent or simply for their follower counts .
‘I am living my dream’
In an interview with NDTV, Dharna dismissed the criticism and made it clear that she is not letting the online chatter affect her. “I am just ignoring them because whatever they want to say, let them say. I have already lived my dream. I am living it,” she said .
Taking a direct dig at her trolls, she added, “If you want to say something, go ahead. You will speak anyway; what else can you do sitting at home?” .
‘She was cast for the part’
The influencer’s casting became a talking point with many questioning whether she was selected for her talent or her social media reach. Speaking to NDTV, director Suresh Triveni vehemently pushed back against that perception .
“I am not so insecure that I am looking at, ‘Oh, they have this many million followers, so I will cast them.’ In my film, I have Madhuri Dixit, Triptii Dimri, and Ravi Kishan. I don’t need those small tricks. She has been cast for the part. As simple as that,” Triveni said .
Triveni argued that the term “influencer” is merely a marketing label, emphasizing that artists who perform online are inherently actors in their own right. “In her case, she is a creator who performs. She does the beauty parlour aunty, the kirtan aunty, and many such characters,” he pointed out .
Madhuri and Triptii clear the air
As the controversy surrounding the promotional event spread, leading actresses Madhuri Dixit and Triptii Dimri also addressed the allegations that they had deliberately ignored Dharna.
Speaking to India Today, Triptii dismissed suggestions of any malicious intent. “Whenever I have a film nowadays… I ask myself, what will they pick this time? I thought, what will they find in this film? There is nothing. But they did get hold of something,” she said .
Madhuri reflected on the viral nature of social media controversies. “There were people (like that) even then, but they didn’t have a way to express. Today we have that channel; everyone is expressing… everyone is moral police,” Madhuri said .
About ‘Maa Behen’
Directed by Suresh Triveni (‘Tumhari Sulu’), ‘Maa Behen’ is a dark comedy thriller that follows a chaotic household after a man is found dead in their home .
The film, which marks Dharna Durga’s Bollywood debut, features her in the role of Sushma, alongside Madhuri Dixit as mother Rekha and Triptii Dimri as sister Jaya . It is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on June 4, 2026 .
