The glitzy pre-wedding festivities of industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s son Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, recently witnessed a moment that has stirred up controversy in the world of Indian cinema. Renowned Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, known for his quick wit and charisma, found himself in the midst of a backlash for a comment he made on fellow actor Ram Charan during the celebrations in Jamnagar.
At the star-studded event, a clip showcasing the three iconic Khans of Bollywood—Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir—grooving to ‘Naatu Naatu’, a hit song from the blockbuster film RRR, went viral on social media. During their spirited performance, they were joined by Ram Charan, the Telugu star who featured in the original track.
However, it was Shah Rukh Khan’s manner of inviting Ram Charan on stage that set off ripples of discontent. In the video, SRK is seen calling out a string of seemingly random words which includes the term ‘idli’, a reference to the popular South Indian dish.
Shah Rukh’s remarks were swiftly criticized as an example of casual racism and a form of stereotyping against South Indians that has occasionally surfaced in the Bollywood industry. The situation escalated after Zeba Hassan, who is Ram Charan’s makeup artist, took to her social media to accuse the Bollywood superstar of disrespecting the RRR actor with what she termed as the ‘Idly vada’ remark.
In her Instagram story, Zeba Hassan posted the video clip of the moment Shah Rukh Khan called Ram Charan on stage, and she captioned it with the question “Bhend idly vada Ram Charan kahan hai tu??” indicating her offense at the comment. She also stated that she chose to ‘walk out’ immediately after the incident as a sign of protest against the perceived disrespect towards Ram Charan, whom she tagged in her post.
The repercussions of Hassan’s claims were immediate. A wave of responses poured in from other social media users who shared her sentiments. Among the comments were those who decried the insensitivity of Khan’s joke. One user expressed personal anguish as a South Indian over SRK’s characterization of Ram Charan, while another declared, “Calling a South Indian ‘idli vada’ can never be funny.”
As the debate grows over the appropriateness of Khan’s remarks, this incident has opened a larger conversation about the subtle undercurrents of regional bias that may still persist in the entertainment industry. Although often overlooked, such moments underscore the need for sensitivity and respect among celebrities who are considered role models to millions.
The incident also throws light on the cultural divide between the Bollywood and the South Indian film industries, a divide that seems to narrow with each passing year due to the increasing cross-pollination of talent and content. Yet, as this incident demonstrates, there is still work to be done in bridging the gap fully.
Shah Rukh Khan, who has often been hailed for his inclusive approach towards different cultures and communities, has yet to respond to the allegations made by Zeba Hassan and the subsequent social media fallout. As for Ram Charan, the distinguished actor renowned for his grace and on-screen presence, there has been no official comment regarding this controversial exchange.
With the incident still gaining traction online and with various analyses pouring in, the entertainment industry is once again prompted to reflect on its values and the impact of its words. As the curtain falls on this particular act of the grand pre-wedding celebration, one can only hope that it serves as a learning experience for all involved.
