Controversy Surrounds Yash Raj Films' Alpha Poster Amid Dune Comparisons

Yash Raj Films' upcoming spy thriller, Alpha, is stirring controversy as its newly released poster is compared to the iconic Dune franchise. Fans have taken to social media to express their concerns over the originality of the design, questioning whether the film's promotional material lacks creativity. Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha features a star-studded cast including Alia Bhatt and Bobby Deol, and is notable for being the first female-led installment in the YRF Spy Universe. As the film gears up for release, the debate surrounding its poster continues to unfold, raising curiosity about its impact on the film's reception.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 11, 2026, 21:38 IST

Alpha Sparks Debate with Its New Poster

The upcoming spy thriller Alpha from Yash Raj Films is currently in the spotlight, but not for the reasons the production team had hoped. Following a mixed reception to its teaser, which left fans questioning the absence of Sharvari, the film's promotional posters have also faced scrutiny. Alpha marks the first female-led entry in the popular YRF Spy Universe and has been in development for a considerable time. However, the latest poster has ignited a surprising discussion online, with many social media users drawing parallels to the iconic posters from Denis Villeneuve's Dune series.

Social Media Users Draw Parallels to Dune

The newly unveiled poster for Alpha showcases Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Bobby Deol, and Anil Kapoor against a rugged, desert-like setting. The image is characterized by muted sepia tones and a gritty ambiance, aiming to evoke a dramatic and grandiose feel. While the intention was to generate excitement for the action-packed film, numerous users on social media quickly pointed out what they perceived as notable similarities to the promotional material of Dune.

The Dune franchise, featuring stars like Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, and Zendaya, is renowned for its desert landscapes and earthy color schemes. Following the poster's release, reactions flooded in. One user remarked, "I thought it was a Dune 3 poster," while another quipped, "Every masterpiece has its cheap copy." Many users expressed concerns over the originality of the design, with one stating, "Bring something original yaar - poster bhi Copied," and another lamenting the lack of creativity in this AI-driven era.

Insights on Alpha

Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha is the seventh film in the YRF Spy Universe and is considered one of the studio's most ambitious projects. The film features Alia Bhatt in the lead role, alongside Sharvari, Bobby Deol, and Anil Kapoor. The recently released teaser introduced viewers to Sita, portrayed by Alia Bhatt, and presents an origin story of a young woman trained by her father, played by Bobby Deol, to become a lethal assassin. Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan have publicly praised both the teaser and the initial visuals of Alia Bhatt and Bobby Deol after their release.

Alpha holds particular significance as it is the first female-led film within the franchise, which has previously centered around legendary agents like Salman Khan's Tiger, Hrithik Roshan's Major Kabir Dhaliwal, and Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan. The screenplay has been co-written by Soumil Shukla, Shridhar Raghavan, Uday Chopra, and Ishita Moitra.