Bollywood Yearender 2022: From Deepika Padukone’s saffron bikini in Besharam Rang to Ranveer Singh’s oops photoshoot, the biggest controversies
The year 2022 saw many Bollywood stars landing in trouble and being trolled for some legitimate and bizarre mistakes. Even though they are still in the news, we take you down memory lane on the controversies that dogged Bollywood this year.
Tinsel town shines bright like a diamond as the year ends but it has a dark side as well. The actors, who we think are living the good life, land in trouble very often due to their slightest mistakes.
Hindi cinema is already suffering the ill-effects of the trend of films getting boycotted, and amid this armtwisting, many actors, filmmakers are blasted for their comments, tweets or even the dresses they wear or even when they don’t.
2022 saw a number of Bollywood stars in deep hot water and being trolled for some legitimate and bizarre mistakes. Even though they are still in the news, we take you down memory lane on the controversies that dogged Bollywood this year.
Deepika Padukone’s saffron bikini in Besharam Rang
As soon as the Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer Pathaan’s song Besharam Rang was released, it won kudos and love from the fans but also a lot of criticism from the BJP functionaries and right wing organisations.
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said the green and saffron colours of the actors’ clothing, as well as the song’s lyrics and the movie’s title, all need to be fixed before the movie’s release in January 2023. Many other Hindu outfits staged protests across the country, demanding a ban on the film.
Ranveer Singh charged after his naked photoshoot
Ranveer Singh has previously been the subject of jokes because of his zany wardrobe choices, which frequently shock the eyeball.
But in September this year, he dropped every bit of them! The actor went buck naked for a photoshoot for PAPER magazine.
An FIR was filed against him in Mumbai and a number of social activists even launched a campaign to collect clothes for the actor.
IFFI jury chief Nadav Lapid and The Kashmir Files
The Kashmir Files, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, grabbed attention throughout the year. Israeli director and IFFI jury chair Nadav Lapid said the film was vulgar and propaganda, which sparked a heated discussion.
Chair of the Jury of Goa Film Festival says that the Jury felt that Kashmir Files was a vulgar propaganda film, inappropriate for the film festival pic.twitter.com/FKTF93ZlRY
Lapid made several comments against the film during the closing ceremony of the 53rd IFFI, which sparked debate against him. Some defended him, while others accused him of being unsympathetic to the plight of Kashmiri Pandits.
Kaali Poster controversy
Leena Manimekalai, an Indian documentary maker, posted the poster she curated for her film Kaali, which kicked up a row. The depiction of Goddess Kali smoking a cigarette in this poster offended many people.
In addition to smoking, the poster showed the actress portraying Kali holding a trishul in one hand and the LGBTQ pride flag in the other. Many said that the Hindu deity was being disrespected and called for the filmmaker to face harsh punishment. After the outcry, the filmmaker was the target of numerous FIRs, but she stood her ground.
Jacqueline Fernandez, Nora Fatehi get ED summons
Bollywood actors Jacqueline Fernandez and Nora Fatehi were summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case launched against alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar.
Chandrashekhar was introduced to both actors by Bollywood actor Pinky Irani. In August, the ED’s Delhi office summoned Fatehi, and in September, the ED repeatedly recorded Fernandez’s statement for the case.
Richa Chadda’s Galwan moment
The Gangs of Wasseypur actor was the recipient of harsh criticism for her reply “Galwan says Hi” to a tweet quoting the Northern Command GOC-in-C saying the Indian Army was prepared to wrest back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Akshay Kumar was among the celebrities who criticised Richa Chadda for her comment. Veteran actor Prakash Raj, a Modi critic, defended her and denounced Akshay Kumar. She also faced backlash from Shiv Sena spokesperson Anand Dubey, who demanded stern action against the “anti-national” actor from Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Sajid Khan in Bigg Boss 16 and #MeToo
In October 2021, the #MeToo movement converged on Bigg Boss Season 16 when Sajid Khan was listed as a participant.
Khan had been accused of sexually harassing nine women. Due to his nomination, actors Ali Fazal, Mandana Karimi, Sherlyn and Saloni Chopra, as well as singer Sona Mohapatra, all demanded that he be kicked off Bigg Boss. But Bigg Boss, as we know, thrives on any publicity, good, bad or the #MeToo kind.
Dhanush divorces Aishwarya Rajinikanth
Cinema is where romance and real-life love stories are brought to life, as seen in the Dhanush and Aishwarya Rajinikanth’s divorce.
Divorces and breakups occasionally make the news, though. The couple had two sons after their wedding in 2004. They requested that people respect their privacy when they announced their separation earlier this year on social media.
The trailer of Drishyam: The Conclusion, the third instalment of the Ajay Devgn-led franchise, has been released, bringing Vijay Salgaonkar back for what is billed as the final chapter of the story.
Ajay Devgn returns as Vijay, while Tabu reprises her role as Meera Deshmukh. The latest chapter also introduces Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj in new roles, creating fresh challenges for Vijay and his carefully planned attempts to protect his family.
Ajay Devgn faces new challenges
The trailer continues the story of Vijay Salgaonkar, a family man who has repeatedly relied on his intelligence to protect his family from the law.
This time, Vijay faces Tabu’s Meera Deshmukh along with two new adversaries. Jaideep Ahlawat plays an SP from the Crime Branch, while Prakash Raj appears as a lawyer. The two characters add another layer to the investigation surrounding Vijay and the events of the previous films.
The trailer suggests that Vijay’s earlier strategy may face its toughest test yet as the investigation moves forward and pressure mounts on his family.
Tabu returns as Meera Deshmukh
Tabu is back as Meera Deshmukh, continuing a character that has remained closely connected to Vijay’s story since the earlier films.
Shriya Saran also returns to the franchise, reprising her role from the previous instalments.
Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj join the cast
Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj are among the key additions to the cast of the third film.
Ahlawat plays an SP in the Crime Branch, bringing a new investigating officer into Vijay’s path. Prakash Raj plays a lawyer, adding another significant character to the conflict surrounding the case.
Drishyam The Conclusion release date
Drishyam: The Conclusion is directed by Abhishek Pathak and is backed by Star Studio18 and Panorama Studios.
The film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on October 2, 2026.
The trailer sets up another battle of wits for Vijay Salgaonkar, with the final outcome of his long-running struggle with the law expected to form the central conflict of the concluding chapter.
Musician Bhagirath Bhatt breaks silence on Bigg Boss 20 entry, says not going
Musician and sitarist Bhagirath Bhatt has clarified that he will not participate in Bigg Boss 20, citing his preference for calm music and peaceful surroundings.
Sitarist and music composer Bhagirath Bhatt has clarified that he will not be participating in Bigg Boss 20, putting an end to speculation about his possible entry into the reality show.
Bhatt addressed the questions he had been receiving from followers on social media and thanked them for their interest. However, he made it clear that he is not part of the upcoming season.
Bhagirath Bhatt explains why he is not joining Bigg Boss 20
In an Instagram Story, Bhatt said that he does not think he is suited to a show like Bigg Boss. He explained that his personality is more aligned with calm and peaceful surroundings.
The musician said he is not someone who can shout or create unnecessary noise and described himself as a believer in calm music. He added that peaceful music has always been a source of inspiration for him.
His clarification came after his name had been circulating in discussions about possible contestants for Bigg Boss 20.
Bhagirath Bhatt’s work in films and series
Bhagirath Bhatt is known for his work as a sitarist and music composer. According to the report, he has worked on films including Padmaavat, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Border 2.
He has also been associated with projects such as Bandish Bandits and Heeramandi.
Meanwhile, the makers of Bigg Boss 20 are yet to officially reveal the complete contestant list. The new season is scheduled to premiere on September 6 at 9 PM.
Batwara 1947 box office failure: Shabana Azmi says audiences couldn’t accept Sunny Deol as Muslim
Shabana Azmi has reflected on Batwara 1947’s poor box office performance, suggesting that audiences may have struggled to accept Sunny Deol as a Muslim character.
Batwara 1947 has had a disappointing run at the box office, and actor Shabana Azmi has now shared her thoughts on why the film may not have connected with audiences. According to Azmi, one possible reason could be the difficulty some viewers had in accepting Sunny Deol as a Muslim character.
The film, which also features Preity Zinta and Shabana Azmi, was released on August 14. It has reportedly earned around Rs 53 crore so far, while Awarapan 2, which released on the same day, has crossed the Rs 200 crore mark.
Shabana Azmi on Sunny Deol’s Muslim character
Discussing the film’s response, Shabana Azmi questioned whether audiences were able to accept Sunny Deol in a Muslim role.
She compared the situation with Amitabh Bachchan’s earlier performances in which he portrayed Muslim characters. Azmi pointed to Deewaar, where Bachchan’s character is associated with the number 786, and said such portrayals had been accepted by audiences.
Azmi also suggested that there may have been confusion among some viewers about Sunny Deol’s character in Batwara 1947. She said that even some people who had watched the film believed Deol was playing a Pakistani character, whereas, according to her, he plays an Indian Muslim.
What Shabana Azmi said about the film’s reception
Azmi said she was surprised by the contrast between the appreciation she had heard from people who watched the film and its weak theatrical performance.
According to her, viewers who discussed the film with her had praised its message of humanity, but that appreciation did not translate into enough people going to theatres.
She also questioned whether audiences were uncomfortable with the film’s India-Pakistan subject. Azmi maintained that the film’s message was not politically incorrect and praised Sunny Deol’s performance.
Batwara 1947 vs Awarapan 2 at the box office
The poor performance of Batwara 1947 has become more noticeable because the film released alongside Awarapan 2. While Batwara 1947 has struggled commercially, Awarapan 2 has performed significantly better at the box office.
The contrast has added to the discussion around the reception of the Sunny Deol-starrer, particularly after Azmi offered her view on why audiences may not have connected with the film.
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