Divyenndu questions 'alpha' culture: We misinterpret it a lot
Synopsis
Divyenndu dismantles the 'alpha' myth. In a candid chat about his boxing series Glory, the actor argues that labelling humans as 'alpha' is a misreading of animal hierarchy—and a lazy crutch borrowed from warrior-era ego-boosting. Modern society, he insists, should know better.
Key Takeaways
Divyenndu argues that the "alpha" label is misinterpreted when applied to humans and lacks modern relevance.
He stated: "Any alpha cannot exist without the gang, the group or the family or whatever." The actor traces "alpha" language to warrior cultures used to boost morale, but says it's outdated today.
Divyenndu's latest series Glory explores boxing and the mysterious death of Nihal Singh , India's Olympic hopeful.
He will next appear in Mirzapur: The Movie , set for release on 4 September .
Actor Divyenndu has challenged the widespread notion of "alpha" behaviour in human society, arguing that the term is frequently misunderstood and lacks relevance to modern life. Speaking about his latest series Glory—a boxing drama that opens with the death of Nihal Singh, India's Olympic boxing hopeful—the 42-year-old actor reflected on why boxing is often framed as an "alpha" sport and what that label really means.
Why the term doesn't apply to humans
Divyenndu contended that labelling humans as "alpha" is fundamentally flawed. "We don't need to use this term for humans to begin with. It's nice if it exists in the animal world," he told IANS. The actor stressed that even in the animal kingdom, no individual can operate in isolation: "Any alpha, any such cannot exist without the gang, the group or the family or whatever. So, you need that."
A historical misreading
Tracing the concept's origins, Divyenndu suggested that "alpha" language emerged in warrior cultures as a psychological tool to motivate fighters. "That must have been done back in the days when warriors used to fight and everything. And just to boost their egos, they must be... 'You are an alpha and go and do this every day,'" he explained. However, he argued that applying such framing today reflects a failure of critical thinking: "If we have our brains intact, we shouldn't use such terms very closely."
The 'Glory' context
Glory, streaming now, explores the brutal, high-stakes world of boxing through the lens of Nihal Singh's mysterious death. The ensemble cast includes Pulkit Samrat, Suvinder Vicky, Jannat Zubair, Ashutosh Rana, Sikandar Kher, Kunal Thakur, Sayani Gupta, Yashpal Sharma, and Kashmira Pardeshi. The series uses the sport's competitive ethos to examine power, ambition, and the cost of chasing glory.
What's next for Divyenndu
Divyenndu, who rose to prominence in 2011 with Pyaar Ka Punchnama alongside Kartik Aaryan, has Mirzapur: The Movie lined up for release on 4 September. The film continues the saga of Akhandanand "Kaleen" Tripathi, the crime boss and businessman who rules the Mirzapur district in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh.
Point of View
Especially in the context of a boxing show, suggests a quiet shift in how Indian entertainment is engaging with toxic masculinity narratives. Whether audiences will listen is another matter.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Divyenndu say about the 'alpha' label?
Divyenndu argued that the 'alpha' label is misinterpreted and shouldn't be applied to humans. He said the term may exist in the animal world but loses relevance for people, and that no individual can succeed without their group or family.
Why does Divyenndu think 'alpha' culture emerged?
According to Divyenndu, the 'alpha' language was likely used in warrior cultures to boost morale and ego before battle. However, he believes applying such framing in today's world reflects outdated thinking.
What is the series 'Glory' about?
Glory is a boxing drama that explores the brutal, high-stakes world of professional boxing. The series opens with the mysterious death of Nihal Singh, India's Olympic boxing hopeful, and examines themes of power and ambition.
When will 'Mirzapur: The Movie' release?
Mirzapur: The Movie is scheduled for release on 4 September. The film continues the story of crime boss Akhandanand 'Kaleen' Tripathi in the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh.
How did Divyenndu become famous?
Divyenndu shot to prominence in 2011 with his role in the comedy film Pyaar Ka Punchnama, which starred Kartik Aaryan. He has since appeared in multiple successful projects across streaming and film platforms.
