Popular content creator Dhruv Rathee has found himself at the centre of a fresh controversy following remarks made in a recent video about the appearance of several Bollywood actresses. The YouTuber, who recently commented on the film Dhurandhar, faced significant online backlash, with many netizens linking his comments about actress Janhvi Kapoor to her earlier statement condemning violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
The Controversial Video and Immediate Backlash
In a YouTube video released on December 25, Dhruv Rathee discussed cosmetic procedures, claiming that a number of leading Bollywood actresses had undergone them. The list included Deepika Padukone, Janhvi Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Shruti Haasan, Shilpa Shetty, Kajol, and Priyanka Chopra. Shortly after the video went live, a section of viewers connected Rathee's commentary on Janhvi Kapoor's appearance to a post she had made just days earlier.
On Christmas, Janhvi Kapoor had used Instagram to strongly condemn the lynching incident in Bangladesh. She wrote, "What is happening in Bangladesh is barbaric. It is slaughter, and it is not an isolated incident... Extremism in any and every form needs to be called out and condemned before we forget our humanity." This led to speculation that Rathee's video was a retaliatory move against Kapoor for taking a political stand.
Rathee's Forceful Clarification
Addressing the growing criticism, Dhruv Rathee posted a clarification video on social media. His caption read, "Did I mock Janhvi Kapoor for her post on Bangladeshi Hindus?" In the video, he expressed frustration at the allegations, questioning the logic of his audience.
"Bhagwan ne tumhe dimag diya hai toh kyun nahi istemal karte uska (When God has given you a brain, why don't you use it?)," Rathee said. He argued that it was logistically impossible for him to have created a detailed, researched, and edited video in direct response to Kapoor's post, which was made on the same day his video was released.
He pointed out that he himself had shared a reel supporting Bangladeshi Hindus, asking why he would then criticise Kapoor for doing the same. "I am not like you, who will randomly and indirectly criticize; if I have to say something, I say it to their face," he stated. Rathee emphasised that his video was focused on the broader societal impact of plastic surgery and contained no direct questions aimed at Janhvi Kapoor.
Reactions and Broader Implications
The controversy has sparked a wider debate about online criticism, the scrutiny of female celebrities' appearances, and the mixing of political commentary with personal remarks. Janhvi Kapoor's close friend, Orry, also weighed in on the matter, suggesting that Kapoor might not even know who Dhruv Rathee is and going on to label the YouTuber as an "anti-nationalist."
This incident highlights the volatile nature of social media discourse in India, where comments on entertainment often intersect with political and social narratives. It also raises questions about the responsibility of content creators with large followings when discussing sensitive topics.
As of now, Janhvi Kapoor has not publicly responded to Dhruv Rathee's clarification video. The episode continues to be a talking point on various social media platforms, dividing opinions between Rathee's supporters and those who found his original video to be in poor taste.
