Milap Zaveri, the director of the recently released romantic drama Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, has responded to a scathing review of his film that labeled it a "regressive cringe-fest". The movie, starring Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa, was released on October 21, 2025, coinciding with Diwali.
Despite mixed to negative reviews from critics, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat has grossed over ₹100 crore worldwide, according to its makers. However, the film has faced criticism for its themes, dialogue, and what some perceive as "regressive" tropes.
On October 22, 2025, a Twitter user named Nikhil Ram posted a detailed review of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, calling it an "old-school, regressive cringe-fest that has to be seen to be believed". The review further criticized the film's background score and dialogue, deeming them excessive and aimed at "front benchers". While the reviewer praised the performances and music, they concluded that the film was ultimately forgettable, except for its songs.
Almost two weeks later, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Milap Zaveri responded to the review by sharing it on his Twitter account and adding, "Again so grateful audiences didn't agree with you bhai," along with a heart and folded hands emoji.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat tells the story of Vikramaditya Bhosale (Harshvardhan Rane), a powerful young politician who falls for Adah Randhawa (Sonam Bajwa), a sought-after woman. He attempts to win her over, but she resists his advances. The film also stars Shaad Randhawa, Sachin Khedekar, and Ananth Narayan Mahadevan.
Critics have generally panned the film. Rahul Desai of The Hollywood Reporter India called it the "most casually offensive Hindi film of the year". Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in described the film as feeling "trapped in a small elevator during a lengthy power cut". A reviewer for The Tribune stated that the film "romanticises obsession and corrupts the issue of consent". Nishad Thaivalappil of News 18 gave the film a rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars, suggesting viewers would regret watching it. Sana Farzeen of India Today also rated the film 1.5 out of 5 stars, noting that the performances of the lead actors were the only reason the film was bearable.
However, some reviews were more positive. Bollywood Hungama rated the film 3.5/5 stars, calling it "unapologetically massy and fiercely passionate". Archika Khurana of The Times of India gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, praising the performances and soundtrack. Rachit Gupta of Filmfare also rated it 2.5/5 stars, noting that Harshvardhan Rane's performance was a highlight.
Despite the critical reception, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat's box office success demonstrates that it has resonated with a segment of the audience. Zaveri's response to the negative review highlights the disconnect between critical opinion and audience reception, a recurring theme in the film industry.
