Yearender 2022: Top 10 newsmakers from Bollywood, in the buff, in the wrong bikini and against boycott calls
As 2022 draws to a close, here’s a list of the top 10 celebrities who made headlines and the world, internet and social media included, went berserk after them.
Bollywood buffs know 2022 was a disaster for the Hindi film industry, especially at the box office. Unfortunately, nearly each film release was followed by a call for boycotting it.
But it was not only the boycott or cancel culture that resulted in a miserly year for Bollywood. Several A-listers drew controversy through their personal and professional choices that were counterproductive and became the talk of almost every household. And who doesn’t love controversy and that too about cinema?
As 2022 draws to a close, here’s a list of the top 10 celebrities who made headlines and the world, internet and social media included, went berserk after them.
Ranveer Singh
The antics of the Bollywood actor turned into a national issue when he posed naked on a carpet for PAPER Magazine and paid tribute to iconic US actor Burt Reynolds. Singh, who is known for his freakish sense of fashion, was soon slapped with police complaints and FIRs.
The internet-breaking photoshoot, on one hand, garnered plaudits for Deepika Padukone for her approving her husband’s bold move, on the other hand, it was deemed objectionable by the conservative.
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A section of social media called for a ban on Ranveer Singh for tarnishing Indian culture and promoting vulgarity. He was summoned by the Mumbai Police as part of their investigation into the nudity and obscenity case filed against him. Women’s rights activist Vedika Chaube lodged a complaint of obscenity and an NGO run by Shyam Mangaram Foundation filed a complaint on behalf of concerned parents who thought Singh could influence the country’s youth. She was on a live TV debate saying, “We can see his bum.”
Singh was booked under Indian Penal Code Sections 292, 293, 509 and the IT Act, pertaining to the sale of obscene books, objects to young people, words, gestures or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman and other related charges based on the plea by the NGO and Chaube.
Uorfi Javed
The social media sensation, who got Ranveer Singh’s pat and was tagged as the fashion icon on national television, became Uorfi Javed by ‘accident’. Known for her sometimes bizarre and mostly bold fashion choices, the self-made TV actor is a household name now. From creating an outfit with just two mobile phones and cables to making an entire outfit using bandages, Javed has done it all.
But along with overnight fame came trolls and multiple FIRs against her for committing illegal and obscene acts on social media and even in public.
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Uorfi Javed also had a bout of words with pulp author Chetan Bhagat, who, at a literature fest, blamed her for distracting boys. Despite all this, the social media star ended up working with Netflix India and appeared in Netflix Playback 2022 in style.
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Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt
Media outlets and internet users went bananas over this Bollywood couple. Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt received love for their minimalistic wedding that took place on Kapoor’s balcony.
In the presence of close family members and friends, their ceremony was one of the most aesthetic weddings of the year. Dressed in an off-white Sabyasachi saree and minimal makeup, Bhatt carved a niche as the chic-est bride and Ranbir looked ethereal in an ivory sherwani. From beauty influencers recreating their wedding looks to stores selling their wedding-inspired bridal sets, Alia-Ranbir marriage touched nearly everyone’s lives.
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Apart from their wedding, their film Brahmastra made all kinds of headlines. Ayan Mukerji’s directorial marked their first film together and became a blockbuster. The ‘storiyan’ in Kesariya may be elaichi in your Biryani, but it became one of the most streamed Hindi songs of the year.
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Prior to the film’s release, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor announced their pregnancy, which also became chai-time gossip. From their wedding to film release to the baby’s birth, they were one Bollywood couple who never left the spotlight in 2022.
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Vivek Agnihotri
The Bollywood filmmaker was applauded in the country for his film, The Kashmir Files. Starring Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Mithun Chakraborty, and others in prominent roles, the film is based on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley in the early 1990s.
On several occasions, The Kashmir Files and Vivek Agnihotri were the topic of discussion. Though the film triggered communal debates on social media, it became one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of 2022 and Vivek Agnihotri, who earlier directed films like front-bencher favourite Hate Story and Zid, became one of the most-talked-about filmmakers.
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Agnihotri was also the infamous toast at the International Film Festival of India 2022 in Goa. Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid, the head of the jury, called The Kashmir Files propaganda and a vulgar film which should not have been screened at such a prestigious film festival.
From getting Y-category security to receiving plaudits from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vivek Agnihotri’s stock rose like the Phoenix in 2022.
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Leena Manimekalai
The Canada-based filmmaker sparked a row after she shared the poster of her documentary Kaali. The poster showed a woman dressed as Goddess Kaali smoking a cigarette, holding a trident in one hand and the LGBTQ flag in the other.
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The Indian High Commission in Canada pushed the Toronto-based Aga Khan Museum to withdraw the “disrespectful depiction of Hindu Gods.” An FIR was filed against the filmmaker by the Delhi Police’s IFSO unit and she was booked under Sections 153A, and 295A and several other cases were filed in Uttar Pradesh.
And how can Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra not condemn someone who attempts to hurt Hindu sentiments? Mishra announced he would impose a ban on the film Kaali as it is an insult to Goddess Kaali.
Enraged social media users accused Leena Manimekalai of hurting religious sentiments and demanded her arrest.
Manimekalai reacted to the police complaints and trolling and said she would always amplify the voices of those who speak without fear. She also clarified and said the film’s storyline revolves around a day when Goddess Kaali roams the streets of Toronto.
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Akshay Kumar
2022 was not merry for the ‘Khiladi’ as he gave back-to-back flop films. From Samrat Prithviraj to Ram Setu, the actor’s films were in the news but for their monotonous script and poor direction.
Apart from his films, the actor made headlines after he was featured in a Vimal Pan Masala ad along with Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan. Kumar, who had earlier advocated against smoking and drinking, irked his fans by promoting gutka which is frowned upon in the country.
Following the backlash on social media, he decided to withdraw his contract with Vimal and donate the payment received for the advertisement for a social cause.
Mahaan Desh Bhakt Star #AkshayKumar said this few years ago when asked about Stars doing Gutka , Pan masala Ad .. Today the same man has joined #Vimal Universe pic.twitter.com/Tf0QRPcG0a
Among his five releases this year were Samrat Prithviraj, Cuttputlli, Bachchhan Paandey, Raksha Bandhan, and Ram Setu. All these landed in trouble and failed at the box office except for Cuttputlli which marked Kumar’s OTT debut. While Samrat Prithviraj received backlash over its title, Ram Setu was criticised for falsely portraying the Ram Setu issue.
The suit for compensation has been finalised by my associate Satya Sabharwal Adv. I am suing Akshay Kumar, actor & Karma Media for damages cause by falsification in portrayal of the Ram Setu issue in their film for release.
The one Bollywood star who took everyone by surprise this year was Sushmita Sen. The former Miss Universe and her relationship with Lalit Modi gave internet junkies a perfect chance to gossip. Memes rained on social media after the IPL founder changed his Instagram bio and shared photos with the actor.
Just back in london after a whirling global tour #maldives # sardinia with the families – not to mention my #better looking partner @sushmitasen47 – a new beginning a new life finally. Over the moon. 🥰😘😍😍🥰💕💞💖💘💓. In love does not mean marriage YET. BUT ONE THAT For sure pic.twitter.com/WL8Hab3P6V
Their relationship was also scrutinised because Sen broke up with her longtime, and younger, boyfriend Rohman Shawl in December 2021. And a section of social media users tagged Sen a gold digger. Typical!
Trolls didn’t stop and Sen spoke up for herself with a befitting reply to shush people who called her a gold digger with a beautiful Instagram post.
Well, it’s nothing new folks. Bollywood is synonymous with gossip that too of relationships and affairs.
Aamir Khan
The Bollywood actor returned to the silver screen after four years with Laal Singh Chaddha, co-starring Kareena Kapoor Khan. The Hindi remake of the Oscar-winning Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, irked cinema lovers who questioned the makers’ audacity to ruin such an iconic film.
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With a call for a boycott of the film, an old video of Kareena Kapoor’s ‘arrogancy’ during an interview taken a decade ago went viral again that added fuel to the boycott calls.
A Delhi lawyer filed a complaint against Aamir Khan, Paramount Pictures, and several others to the Delhi Police commissioner for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments and disrespecting the Indian Army. The complainant alleged that there was objectionable content in the film and sought registration of an FIR under Sections 153, 153A, 298 and 505 of the IPC against Khan, director Advait Chandan and Paramount Pictures.
But this was just the tip of the iceberg. Laal Singh Chaddha failed at the box office. It took the makers more than 10 years to make the film and it turned out to be a disaster. The film’s music was appreciated.
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Nora Fatehi
The Moroccan actor-dancer is shining in Bollywood. Nora Fatehi’s nationality may not be Indian but she held the tricolour with the utmost pride at the FIFA World Cup 2022. She joined the ranks of Shakira and Jennifer Lopez and became the first Bollywood star to perform and represent India and South East Asia on the FIFA World Stage.
Besides, the actor-dancer also made headlines as she judged the popular dance reality show on TV, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 10. It was quite a moment for Fatehi’s fans as she was once a contestant on the show.
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Deepika Padukone
This year, Deepika Padukone’s schedule was jam-packed with Cannes, collaborations with luxury brands, launching her skin brand, and rooting for the release of Pathaan.
The global star became a vision for millions of her fans as she walked the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival 2022. She became one of the few Indian actors to be part of the festival jury. She attended panel discussions, after-parties, and a lot more.
And when it came to serving looks, she definitely didn’t disappoint her fans. One of her looks at Cannes also triggered some hullabaloo and meme fests on social media.
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Following her successful stint at Festival De Cannes, she was announced as the global ambassador for Louis Vuitton and the ambassador for Cartier. Padukone’s association with these two luxury brands undoubtedly added a feather to her sexy cap.
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In November 2022, Padukone started her journey as an entrepreneur and launched a skincare and wellness brand, 82°E with just two products. While the brand received flak over its pricing, yes pretty expensive, Padukone made it clear that she wants to cater to an elite clients and make her brand luxe.
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Cut to December 2022, the actor grabbed the world by its eyeballs with her steamy appearance in the Pathaan song, Besharam Rang. Her orange bikini, which looked like saffron for some people, in the song became a national issue.
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From outfits to hook steps, the song is under scrutiny for many reasons. Several police complaints were filed against both Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan for the choice of outfits’ colours and dance steps in Besharam Rang. Following the backlash, the Central Board of Film Certification advised the makers to make changes to the film, including songs.
Prasoon Joshi, Chairperson, CBFC, said, “Just to put all queries around the film Pathaan at rest, the film recently reached the CBFC examination committee for certification. The film went through the due examining process as per the CBFC guidelines. The committee has guided the makers to implement the advised changes in the film including the songs and submit the revised version prior to theatrical release.”
In the backdrop of the Besharam Rang row, Padukone made India proud as she became the first Bollywood star to unveil the FIFA World Cup trophy at Qatar 2022. Styled by Louis Vuitton, she carried grace at the international event and hit headlines like never before. Yes, she was covered head to foot.
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The hopes from Pathaan are many but we will need to wait for 2023 to find out how many cuts and snips it will take before its release!
Sunny Deol’s Border 2 continues its impressive run at the domestic box office, edging closer to the Rs 300 crore mark by the end of its second week. The war drama, which hit theatres on January 23, has shown consistent collections since its release.
On its second Tuesday, the film earned an estimated Rs 5.75 crore, taking its total earnings to Rs 286.75 crore after 12 days.
Border 2 box office performance so far
The film matched its Monday earnings on February 3, adding Rs 5.75 crore to its tally. With this, Border 2 has managed to hold firm on weekdays, a sign of sustained audience interest.
The film delivered a robust opening week, collecting Rs 224.25 crore, supported by the extended Republic Day holiday period.
Second weekend boosts collections
The second weekend provided another lift to the film’s box office numbers. Friday saw collections of Rs 10.75 crore, followed by Rs 17.75 crore on Saturday. Sunday emerged as the strongest day of the weekend, contributing Rs 22.5 crore to the total.
Monday, which coincided with Republic Day, turned out to be the film’s highest single-day performer so far, with earnings touching Rs 59 crore.
With its current pace, Border 2 has already surpassed the opening weekend figures of Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar.
Border 2 review
In a review, film critic Saibal Chatterjee noted that Border 2 succeeds in highlighting the courage of soldiers while also touching upon their emotional vulnerabilities. The film explores themes of separation, loss, fear, and hope, presenting moments of heroism amid personal struggles.
About the film
Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty. Set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the film is positioned as a spiritual successor to the 1997 classic Border.
Dhurandhar has finally made its much-awaited debut on Netflix, just days after the Ranveer Singh-starrer completed a blockbuster theatrical run across India. While the film crossed Rs 1,000 crore domestically and went past Rs 1,300 crore worldwide, its OTT release has triggered confusion and criticism over its shorter runtime.
Several viewers took to social media early Friday, claiming that a “censored” version of Dhurandhar was streaming on Netflix. The runtime displayed on the platform is 3 hours and 25 minutes, nearly nine minutes shorter than the film’s originally reported duration of 3 hours and 34 minutes.
What caused the runtime difference
The confusion stems from changes made after the film’s initial theatrical release. According to the revised censor certificate, Dhurandhar now has an approved runtime of 3 hours 28 minutes and 56 seconds. This updated version replaced the earlier cut in cinemas starting January 1.
The revision followed directions to mute two specific words and one dialogue referring to the Baloch community. These changes were implemented without removing scenes, resulting in a marginally shorter runtime.
What viewers noticed on Netflix
Audiences streaming the film on Netflix observed muted portions during a scene involving Sanjay Dutt’s character, SP Chaudhary Aslam. In the original version, the dialogue included a direct reference to a former Baloch police partner. In the revised cut now available on Netflix, those references are muted, while English subtitles offer a generalised translation without naming the community.
Some viewers also pointed out that the film appears to play slightly faster on the platform, contributing to the perception that content had been trimmed.
Is Netflix streaming a censored cut
Industry insiders have clarified that Netflix is carrying the final theatrical version approved by the authorities. As an OTT distributor, the platform uploads films exactly as provided by the producers. The version streaming online is the same revised cut that has been screening in theatres since January.
Importantly, the film’s intense and graphic depiction of violence remains unchanged in the OTT version.
In short, Dhurandhar on Netflix is not a specially edited or censored cut for streaming. It is the updated theatrical version, adjusted for muted dialogue and presented with a slightly faster frame rate.
Following its OTT release, audiences can now look ahead to the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.
Border 2 has made an impressive start at the Indian box office, collecting Rs 30 crore on its opening day. The war drama, headlined by Sunny Deol along with Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh, opened to largely positive audience and critical response.
According to industry tracking data, the film recorded an overall occupancy of 32.1 per cent on day one. Night shows contributed the highest footfall, indicating strong word-of-mouth towards the end of the day.
Strong show count and urban traction
Border 2 was screened in nearly 6,000 shows across the country on its opening day. Major centres reported heavy traction, with over 1,000 shows in Mumbai and more than 1,500 shows across the Delhi-NCR region. Trade sources noted that urban circuits played a key role in pushing the film past the Rs 30 crore mark.
The opening performance places Border 2 ahead of Dhurandhar, which collected Rs 28 crore on its first day despite having a similar nationwide show count. Dhurandhar later saw consistent growth over its opening weekend, a trend that Border 2 is also expected to follow.
Career-best opening for key cast members
Border 2 has emerged as the biggest opening-day film in the careers of Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh. For Varun Dhawan, the film marks his first box office success since Bhediya in 2023. Ahan Shetty, who made his debut with Tadap in 2021, has registered his first theatrical hit with the war drama.
For Sunny Deol, however, Border 2 does not surpass the opening records of Gadar 2, which remains his highest-grossing film with a worldwide collection of Rs 686 crore.
Dhurandhar sees slowdown after Border 2 release
Meanwhile, Dhurandhar’s box office run has slowed following the release of Border 2. The film reportedly earned under Rs 1 crore for the first time in nearly 50 days, reflecting the impact of the new release.
Directed by Anurag Singh and produced by JP Dutta and Nidhi Dutta, Border 2 also features Sonam Bajwa and Mona Singh in prominent roles.
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