November 3, 2025 : Shah Rukh Khan’s 59th birthday has turned into a celebration not just for fans but also for Bollywood insiders, as stars across the industry poured in their wishes for the “King of Romance.” However, one birthday post has stirred up an unexpected storm online — that of filmmaker Siddharth Anand. Fans now believe his message may have included a subtle dig at directors Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Prabhas.
Siddharth Anand, who directed SRK’s blockbuster Pathaan, took to social media to share his birthday greetings. Posting a still from Pathaan, he wrote, “The king who doesn’t need loud dialogues or violence to rule hearts — happy birthday, Shah Rukh Khan. Grace, charm, and dignity — that’s real power.”
While at first glance the message appeared like a warm tribute to SRK, netizens were quick to read between the lines. Many interpreted the “doesn’t need loud dialogues or violence” part as a possible indirect jab at Sandeep Reddy Vanga, whose brand of intense, aggressive filmmaking — seen in movies like Kabir Singh and Animal (starring Prabhas) — often relies on raw masculinity, action, and power-packed monologues.
Within minutes, social media was abuzz. One fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Did Siddharth Anand just throw shade at Sandeep Reddy Vanga? That line about violence can’t be a coincidence.” Another user commented, “Siddharth praising SRK’s grace while taking a sly dig at toxic masculinity in cinema — brilliant.”
Several others, however, defended Anand, arguing that the post was purely in praise of Shah Rukh’s persona and not intended as a dig at anyone. “Every director has a different style. Siddharth’s films are about elegance and thrill; Vanga’s are about intensity and emotion. No need to pit them against each other,” one user noted.
Despite these clarifications, the debate continued to grow. A few fans even pointed out that Siddharth’s Fighter, starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, is set to release around the same time as Prabhas’ Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga — further fueling the theory that the comment may have been strategic or competitive.
Industry insiders, meanwhile, maintain that there’s no bad blood between the filmmakers. A source close to Siddharth Anand said, “Siddharth admires Shah Rukh deeply. His message was about SRK’s legacy and how he commands respect without aggression. There was no reference to anyone else.”
Still, the timing of the post, coupled with its specific wording, made it irresistible for fans looking for hidden meaning. Online discussions quickly escalated into memes and side-by-side comparisons between SRK’s calm charisma and the intense, gritty characters portrayed in films like Animal and Salaar.
Siddharth Anand and Shah Rukh Khan share a strong professional relationship. Their collaboration on Pathaan not only revived the actor’s box office dominance but also marked the first major blockbuster of Bollywood’s post-pandemic era. The film grossed over ₹1,000 crore globally, making it one of the highest-grossing Hindi films ever.
After Pathaan, Siddharth moved on to Fighter, while SRK went on to deliver Jawan and Dunki, both of which continued his spectacular box office streak. The mutual admiration between the actor and the director has remained evident in interviews and social media exchanges.
Meanwhile, Sandeep Reddy Vanga continues to be a polarizing figure in Bollywood. While his films command massive box office numbers and loyal fan bases, critics often accuse him of glorifying toxic male behavior. Prabhas’ upcoming film Spirit with Vanga has already generated high expectations for its intensity and raw emotional core.
The clash of creative philosophies between directors like Siddharth Anand and Sandeep Reddy Vanga has become symbolic of Bollywood’s broader evolution — between suave, sophisticated storytelling and gritty, emotion-heavy narratives.
Entertainment journalist Ananya Mehta weighed in on the controversy, saying, “Siddharth’s post might not have been a direct jab, but it definitely reflects two different schools of filmmaking. SRK represents charm and restraint, while Vanga’s heroes embody aggression and dominance.”
As the online debate continues, neither Siddharth Anand nor Sandeep Reddy Vanga has addressed the speculations. SRK, for his part, acknowledged fans’ love with his signature humility, thanking everyone for their birthday wishes and promising “something special soon.”
While it remains unclear whether Siddharth’s post was intentionally layered with subtext, it certainly succeeded in capturing attention. Fans now eagerly await a response — if any — from Vanga or Prabhas, though industry observers believe they are unlikely to engage publicly.
Whether or not a dig was intended, one thing is certain: Siddharth Anand’s choice of words has reignited discussions about what defines “real power” in Bollywood — charm or chaos, restraint or rebellion.
Summary
Siddharth Anand’s birthday wish for Shah Rukh Khan sparked online debate, as fans suspected a veiled dig at Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Prabhas, though the director’s team denied any such intent.