NEW DELHI, December 28 — Indian YouTuber Dhruv Rathee issued a forceful clarification after facing widespread online backlash for a video about Bollywood’s “fake beauty” that was published the same day actress Janhvi Kapoor condemned religious violence in Bangladesh.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee is confronting significant online criticism following his recent video critiquing Bollywood’s standards of beauty. The backlash centers on the video’s thumbnail featuring actress Janhvi Kapoor and its release timing, which coincided with Kapoor’s statement on violence against minorities in Bangladesh.
Who is Dhruv Rathee?
Dhruv Rathee, a social commentator with millions of subscribers, published a video titled “Fake Beauty of Bollywood” on December 25. The video’s thumbnail used a before-and-after image of actress Janhvi Kapoor. Critics accused Rathee of deliberately targeting Kapoor in retaliation for a separate Instagram post she made the same day condemning the lynching of a Hindu laborer in Bangladesh. Many viewers found the timing and imagery insensitive.
What did Janhvi Kapoor post about Bangladesh?
On December 25, Janhvi Kapoor used her Instagram Story to speak out against the brutal killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh. Das, a Hindu laborer, was lynched by a mob on accusations of disrespecting Prophet Mohammad. Kapoor described the event as “barbaric” and a “slaughter.” She urged her followers to educate themselves on the incident, writing, “if you feel no rage, then it is exactly this kind of hypocrisy that will destroy us.”
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How did Dhruv Rathee respond to the backlash?
In a video address, Rathee vehemently denied any link between his beauty video and Kapoor’s Bangladesh post. He questioned the logic of the criticism, stating it is impossible to shoot and edit a video in a single day in reaction to a social media post. Rathee emphasized his own prior commentary supporting Bangladeshi Hindus.
- He stated his video focused solely on plastic surgery trends.
- He noted he used Kapoor’s image because she has publicly discussed undergoing procedures.
- He asserted he does not engage in indirect criticism.
He responded to the online trolling with: “Tumhe Bhagwan ne dimag diya hai, kyun nahi istemal karte iska?” and “Naa main tumhare papa se darta aur naa hi main kisi Bollywood celebrity se darta.”
What has been the reaction from Janhvi Kapoor’s circle?
Orry, Kapoor’s close friend and well-known social media user, chastised Rathee for the video’s content and thumbnail selection, but Kapoor has not publicly addressed the controversy surrounding Rathee’s video. Although it did not originate with Kapoor directly, this response increased the online conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the core issue in the Dhruv Rathee-Janhvi Kapoor controversy?
A: The controversy arises from the fortuitous timing of two occurrences on December 25: Dhruv Rathee’s video about Bollywood beauty standards, which features Janhvi Kapoor in its thumbnail, and Kapoor’s post denouncing violence in Bangladesh.
Q: Did Dhruv Rathee criticize Janhvi Kapoor’s post on Bangladesh?
A: Rathee has defended himself in his explanation that he had shared content regarding violence against Bangladeshi Hindus and that he supported the cause Kapoor emphasized. He denied criticizing anything she had said.
Q: Has Janhvi Kapoor responded to Dhruv Rathee’s video?
A: Regarding the video and the ensuing criticism, Janhvi Kapoor has not yet released an official remark.
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