Pakistani Actress Dananeer Mobeen of ‘Mera Lyari’ SLAMMED for Calling Shah Rukh Khan’s Devdas ‘Overrated’; Netizens Ask ‘Yeh Hai Kaun?’

Pakistani actress Dananeer Mobeen has sparked a massive online controversy after calling the 2002 Bollywood classic Devdas "overrated." Speaking during a recent promotional interview for her new film Mera Lyari, Mobeen questioned the plot and themes of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer. Her remarks quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism from cinema enthusiasts and fans across India and Pakistan. The backlash coincides with a difficult box office run for her film Mera Lyari, which was released on May 8. Shah Rukh Khan and Pregnant Deepika Padukone’s Viral Video: SRK Praised for Supporting Co-Star on ‘King’ Set (Watch).

Pak Actress Dananeer Mobeen Criticises ‘Devdas’

The controversy began during a short rapid-fire interview with digital magazine Mashion. When asked to name a classic film she considers overrated, Mobeen chose the acclaimed Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial.  "What is the story?" Mobeen asked during the session. "There's an alcoholic, there's a woman who has no self-respect, there’s a dad who is [censored], and there is another woman who is forced upon the man... what is happening and why is it a classic?"

Dananeer Mobeens Critique of SRK-Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s ‘Devdas’

 

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While she praised the film's larger-than-life visuals, grand production sets, and elaborate outfits, Mobeen maintained that the narrative fell short. She further questioned the cultural impact of the film, asking why audiences remain "gaga" over a storyline that she claimed "glamorises alcoholism."

Dananeer Mobeen Fcaes Backlash and Social Media Criticism

Mobeen's commentary faced an immediate and fierce pushback on social media platforms. Netizens accused the actress of fundamentally misunderstanding the literary concept of a tragedy.  Many users pointed out that Devdas is an adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s iconic 1917 novel, which portrays the destructive nature of ego and addiction rather than glorifying it. A user wrote, "

Online commentators labelled her critique as "shallow" and "uninformed," arguing that a lack of familiarity with classic literature led to her reductive take.  The backlash intensified as some users shared older clips of Mobeen dressed up as Paro, the character played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the 2002 film, for a television show, leading to accusations of inconsistency.

Internet Reacts to Dananeer Mobeen's Opinion on  ‘Devdas’ 

Others linked the timing of her controversial remarks to the promotional cycle of Mera Lyari, suggesting it was an attempt to generate buzz for a project that has struggled commercially since its release.

Who is Dananeer Mobeen?

Dananeer Mobeen initially shot to international fame in February 2021 through a viral five-second video clip that birthed the "Pawri Ho Rahi Hai" internet meme. The viral sensation successfully transitioned her career from a digital content creator to mainstream Pakistani television and cinema. 'Pawri Hori Hai' Pakistani Influencer Dananeer Mobeen Performs on Yashraj Mukhate's Rendition of The Viral Video and It Is the Best Thing You'll See Today! Check out Funny Memes and Jokes.

Since her viral breakout, Mobeen has built a television career with prominent roles in popular Pakistani dramas such as Sinf-e-Aahan, Muhabbat Gumshuda Meri, and Very Filmy.  She recently expanded her profile across South Asia by starring in Mera Lyari, an action-drama marketed as a significant cinematic release. Despite the high expectations surrounding the film, it has failed to attract substantial audiences at the Pakistani box office.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 18, 2026 05:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).