Film Critics Guild: Dhurandhar backlash threatens free critique in India

• The Film Critics Guild (FCG) condemned "coordinated harassment" of reviewers for their assessments of the film Dhurandhar.
• Reviewers faced threats, online campaigns, and pressure to influence or discredit their professional opinions.
• The FCG statement highlights concerns about shrinking space for independent criticism and editorial independence in India.
• This incident reflects broader issues like intensifying polarization around films and threats to press freedom.
• The Guild emphasized the importance of civil disagreement and independent criticism for a healthy cultural ecosystem.

Why It Matters: It underscores the threat to independent film criticism and free expression in India.