The year 2025 gave us a fair share of controversies from the entertainment world. From Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour work debate, Samay Raina’s India’s Got Latent case, to Karisma Kapoor-Priya Sachdev’s legal battle and Ranveer Singh’s Kantara backlash.
ThePrint takes a look at the top 5 controversies that created buzz this year.
When jokes took over prime time
Samay Raina’s show India’s Got Latent faced backlash all over social media and found itself at the centre of Television debates. All because of a controversial remark by YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia. The podcaster issued a public apology, taking responsibility for his comments.
India’s Got Latent, which quickly became viral, was shut down immediately. The Supreme Court also reprimanded Raina for his insensitive remarks about persons with disabilities. Following this, the comedian apologised through a post on his social media handle.
Demand for eight-hour shift
Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit over specific working conditions, including a request for an eight-hour workday, triggered a debate in the industry.
Shortly after, Padukone was also dropped from the second installment of Kalki 2898 AD. The makers of the film, which is headlined by Prabhas, mentioned that they decided to part ways with the actor because the film deserves a lot of “commitment.”
Several industry people like Keerthy Suresh, Anurag Basu, Rashmika Mandanna, Konkona Sen Sharma, and Saif Ali Khan have supported Padukone’s call for 8-hour work shifts, highlighting work-life balance.
Mimicking backfired for Ranveer Singh
And, while Padukone’s 8-hour work demand was still being discussed, her husband, too, landed in hot water. In one of the recent incidents, Ranveer Singh faced backlash for mimicking actor Rishab Shetty from Kantara: A Legend Chapter-1 at IFFI 2025.
Things went beyond the social media criticism, and a complaint was filed against the actor under Sections 302, 299, and 354 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Singh was accused of allegedly hurting “religious feelings”. Later, Singh issued an apology, expressing his admiration for Rishab Shetty.
Also read: Top 5 CEO controversies of 2025—IndiGo boss apology to Deepinder Goyal’s ageing theory
Diljit Dosanjh’s Sardaar Ji 3
The Punjabi actor-singer faced intense criticism for working with Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in the film Sardaar Ji 3. The film was banned in India and was released on 27 June in theatres overseas.
It sparked controversy as the release happened during the border tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Dosanjh faced backlash from social media users, members of the film industry, and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).
The actor-singer defended his film, explaining that it was shot in February, before the India-Pakistan tensions escalated. He noted that producers of the film decided on an overseas release due to the situation, and he supports their investments.
The litigious will
Karisma Kapoor’s former husband, Sunjay Kapur, died in June this year. Soon after, family disputes spilled into the public domain. Karisma’s children sought an interim injunction to prevent Sunjay’s widow, Priya Kapur, from dealing with or alienating his assets. Sunjay’s mother, Rani Kapur, also challenged the will presented by Priya, arguing that it was inconsistent with her son’s conduct.
She also alleged that Priya consolidated control over his businesses and assets and the statements filed before the court were incomplete. It didn’t include the expensive artworks, bank accounts, insurance policies, rental income, and other investments.
Karisma and Sunjay were married from 2003 to 2016 and have two children. Later, Sunjay married Priya in 2017. They were raising a son and a daughter from Priya’s previous marriage.
After weeks of legal battle, the Delhi HC concluded hearings by reserving orders on the interim injunction plea filed by Karisma’s children.