Orange bikini, snake venom to sex scenes, if something had potential to become controversial in 2023, it did. Celebrity public relations managers were busy all year round, putting out fires their clients had set off. Anything and everything hurt ‘sentiments’, and Twitter feeds were full of calls for apology, hot takes and memes. It was a year of big outrage, nobody was spared.
Here’s are some major discourse storms caused around celebrities this year:
Besharam Bikini
One of the biggest celebrity controversies this year was about a woman’s bikini (surprise, surprise). Deepika Padukone’s bikini in 2023 film Pathaan’s Besharam Rang song inspired heated arguments for its colour. Former Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra, of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress MLA Govind Singh together protested against Padukone’s ‘offensive costume’. But after a lot of noise, the matter died down as the Central Board of Film Certification (CFBC) did not order cuts and the movie minted Rs 1,055 crore. The song gained such popularity that some still groove to it.
However, Padukone didn’t escape it easily. Political opposition to her outfit encouraged several vile and lewd comments on the internet. She received a similar reaction when the teaser of her upcoming film Fighter got released—this time her golden monokini upset many. Most of the online critics were angry because Padukone’s character in the film is an Air Force squadron leader. What do women in the military wear apart from uniforms?
Also read: 10 films that were a total waste of time in 2023
Raving with venom in Noida
Content creator and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav landed in trouble over allegations of supplying snake venom to rave parties in Noida. An FIR was lodged against him. Reportedly, police were looking for him. Meanwhile, Yadav was tweeting and making Instagram videos to deny all allegations. The investigation is still underway. Most people on the internet were shocked because of two things—snake venom’s consumption for ‘recreational purposes’ and the possibility of Noida hosting a rave party. The issue died out more quickly than Yadav’s alleged flowerpot heist from a G20 venue. His fans came out in full support, called every accusation false and hailed their ‘Elvish Bhai’.
Deepfake horror
Technology was its scariest in 2023. Deepfake videos of politicians and celebrities were everywhere. Such videos of actors Rashmika Mandanna and Alia Bhatt got viral on social media. The dangerous impact of AI tools was also raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit. Mandanna tweeted about the matter and wrote, “Today, as a woman and as an actor, I am thankful for my family, friends and well-wishers who are my protection and support system. But if this happened to me when I was in school or college, I genuinely can’t imagine how could I ever tackle this.”
Bigg Boss canon
Comedian Munawar Faruqui may or may not be god’s favourite child but he is definitely one of controversies. The current Bigg Boss contestant is in the news for the overlap in his past relationships, and how he has not always treated the women in his life well. It has also spilled over to social media with people picking sides, and his two exes Ayesha Khan and Nazila Sitaishi chiming in.
Ankita Lokhande’s presence in the reality show is another gripping topic on Instagram these days. Her marriage with Vicky Jain is on HD display and it does not look good to fans. Recently, Jain allegedly tried to physically hurt Lokhande on national television.
Pro-Khalistani story
Punjabi singer and rapper Shubh, aka Shubhneet Singh, was targeted over his alleged support for Khalistan and separatists. During the police crackdown of Sikh preacher and ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh and his associates on Instagram stories. Still Rollin, his India tour of 10 cities was cancelled after the main sponsor boat withdrew. Singh’s Instagram posts were crammed with threats and comments by disappointed fans. The singer was opposed by all quarters—his outspoken fans such as former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli unfollowed him on Instagram.
“My intent in resharing that post on my story was only to pray for Punjab as there were reports of electricity and internet shutdowns throughout the state. There was no other thought behind it, and I definitely didn’t intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments,” the singer later wrote in an Instagram post.
Oppenheimer and Bhagwat Gita
Christopher Nolan’s most celebrated film of 2023 Oppenheimer had a massive opening in India, and caused the biggest fire on Twitter. Cillian Murphy’s sex scene with Florence Pugh while reciting Bhagvad Gita in the film hurt religious sentiments of many Hindus. Even before watching the film, people were calling for its boycott. Union Minister Anurag Thakur told the press that he wants that scene deleted from the film. And that’s what happened. The 15-minute-long scene was censored in Indian theatres. Not just that, Pugh’s body was covered with a CGI little black dress.
Also read: 5 Bollywood legends who returned in 2023 to steal the show
Beckham in Bollywood
Former professional English footballer David Beckham’s first trip to India was memorable for many reasons. He was the trophy every Bollywood celebrity wanted to hold and pose for the cameras. Beckham’s non-famous Indian fans were especially disappointed by how their favourite footballer wasn’t clicking selfies with them. The viral pictures were a reminder of Ed Sheeran’s India visit in 2017. At the time, the Irish-origin English singer was seen smooshed between Hindi film industry actors, their wives, cousins. Everyone stopped short of just climbing his back in the pictures.
Koffee gate
Getting into the spirits of Koffee with Karan, actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh revealed too much for their own good about their relationship. While Singh parroted the same line that he had once said about actor Anushka Sharma, his rumoured ex, Padukone ‘shocked’ Indians by sharing that she wasn’t always exclusively dating her now husband. The internet dissected every word the married couple said to each other on the chat show couch, the timeline of their relationship was fact checked and the verdict was not looking positive. Men and women slut-shamed Padukone on social media and Singh became butt of the joke.
Views are personal.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)