Anil Kapoor starrer action-thriller Subedaar was recently praised by Shah Rukh Khan and Anurag Kashyap. While the latter appreciated Anil’s performance and the film’s action, Anurag said that he enjoyed the film but would have done more had it released in theatres.
Shah Rukh Khan took to his X handle on Saturday and wrote, “Thoroughly enjoyed #Subedaar. Can always count on @AnilKapoor to give it his all – a restrained yet effective performance. His dedication to the craft is inspiring and the action was so good.” He then mentioned the supporting cast — Aditya Rawal, Saurabh Shukla, Mona Singh, Faisal Malik, and Radhika Madan — adding, “each character was crafted uniquely and all of u put on such a great performance.”
Shah Rukh also lauded director Suresh Triveni and the entire team of Subedaar. Anil replied to SRK on X, writing, “Shah Rukh, so happy you saw Subedaar. Your words mean a lot to all of us especially coming from someone who has given audiences so much love and magic through cinema over the years. Makes this more special for all of us (hug emoji).”
Anurag also took to his Instagram handle on Saturday and posted a still of Anil from the film. “SUBEDAAR on @primevideoin should have been a theatrical. Would have loved to experience it in cinemas , it’s clearly shot on anamorphic for the big screen , designed for big screen. Had so much fun but would have enjoyed it more, had I seen it with a theatre full of people,” he wrote.
He then lauded the worldbuilding of Subedaar, writing, “@sureshtriveni creates an immersive world of Bundelkhand/Chambal complete with its patriarchy and entitlement. Where women are as patriarchal as men and those who aren’t, they fight like a man in this male dominated hinterlands of the beehad that once gave rise to Phoolan Devi.”
“The world has not changed since, infact it has gotten worse. And in that world comes our SUBEDAAR . In the world that also gave birth to a Paan Singh Tomar , is set this ex army man vs the totally uncivilised civilian world. Wholly fictional, but makes me want to believe,” he added.
“@anilskapoor of Meri Jung and Tezaab (Munna Zinda hai) , carries the simmering fire in him through the film,” wrote Anurag, referring to Anil Kapoor’s seminal roles in Subhash Ghai’s 1985 potboiler and N Chandra’s 1988 action romance, respectively. He also heaped praises on the supporting cast, writing, “@whofaisalmalik is super, what can @monajsingh not do and @aditya___rawal ‘s revoking of a small town , social media influenced Elvis yadav vibe villain makes me want to hate him.”
“Last but not the least I need to see more of @radhikkamadan , fiery and vulnerable , she shines . My ever dependable Kallu Mama doing action was not on my 2026 calendar. Maza aaya sir @saurabhshuklafilms,” added Anurag. Saurabh Shukla co-wrote Ram Gopal Varma’s 1998 cult gangster saga Satya with Anunrag and also played the gangster Kallu Mama in the film.
Anurag also hailed Subedaar’s “realistic action.” “At the time when everyone is following the (over the top) action trope, the minimalism here really gets you in,” he wrote, adding, “Ye hai meri waali commercial film (this is my kind of commercial film).”
The film’s cast and director Suresh, Faisal, Aditya and Radhika thanked Anurag in the comments section. Anil reposted his praise on his Instagram Stories and wrote, “Anurag, you’ve been a quiet but important collaborators on many projects I’ve worked on, starting from Nayak then AK vs AK and of course, Thar. You’ve always been incredibly generous, and when you appreciate a film, it comes from a very honest place. I’m so glad you liked the film. Thank you for the kind words.”
Anurag wrote the dialogues of S Shankar’s 2001 film Nayak: The Real Hero, which starred Anil in the lead. He was also going to collaborate with Anil for the later-shelved film Allwyn Kalicharan. He then locked horns with Anil in Vikramaditya Motwane’s 2020 black comedy thriller AK vs AK on Netflix. Anurag also served as a co-writer on Raj Singh Chaudhary’s 2022 action thriller Thar on Netflix India.
