Vicky Kaushal, a Hindu man married to Katrina Kaif, a woman with a Muslim father and a Christian motherĄĒis suddenly at the center of a controversy. His film Chhaava, which was released over a month ago, is now being blamed for the communal violence in Nagpur. But how did a Bollywood actor become the face of a riot?
On Monday, two groups clashed in NagpurĄ¯s Mahal area near Chhatrapati Shivaji MaharajĄ¯s statue. Supporters of one group were protesting against Mughal emperor AurangzebĄ¯s tomb and burned his effigy along with a green cloth. A rumour quickly spread that a religious book had been burned, escalating tensions into violent riots. Stones were thrown, vehicles were torched, and even fire brigade personnel were attacked.
The police had to use tear gas and lathis to control the situation, while Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis appealed for calm. However, even Fadnavis pointed fingers at Chhaava as the trigger for the violence.
Chhaava is a historical drama about the life of Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The film has been accused of fictionalizing the torture of Hindus under Aurangzeb, leading to debates over its historical accuracy. While the movie has been a massive box office success, collecting over 500 crores, it has also been labeled as a ĄŽpropaganda filmĄ¯ by some critics.
Social media exploded with outrage against Vicky Kaushal, holding him responsible for inciting communal hatred. Some users went as far as wishing him harm, saying he Ą°deserved to burn in the same fire.Ąą Others declared his career Ą°ruined foreverĄą and called him a Ą°disgrace to humanityĄą for acting in a so-called propaganda film.
Vicky Kaushal did not throw stones. He did not set fire to vehicles. He did not spread rumours. Yet, he is being blamed. The bigger question isĄĒwhy are we letting hate-mongers get away while an actor takes the fall?