Popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee recently found himself in the middle of a controversy when social media users accused him of mocking Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor indirectly. The rumors emerged just after Dhruv Rathee posted his video on YouTube titled FAKE Beauty of Bollywood Celebrities, as it appeared on the same day when Janhvi took to Instagram and posted a bold reaction against the lynching event that took place in Bangladesh.
What was supposed to be a mere coincidence quickly escalated into a heated online debate. Users quickly connected the timing of the video with a possible hidden meaning in Kapoor’s post, which sounded like indirect criticism to them. With all the speculation going on, Dhruv Rathee had had enough and decided to put an end to all the confusion.
The Start of the Controversy Involving Dhruv Rathee
The controversy began not due to any actual statement or confrontation between the two individuals. The beginning of this topic began due to the assumption made by people on social media. On one side, Dhruv Rathee releases a well-intentioned and informative video on the standards of beauty and plastic surgery and their rise in society. On the other hand, actress Janhvi Kapoor expressed her views on Instagram over a mob lynching incident occurring in Bangladesh.
Because these two events occurred on the same day, some individuals started connecting some dots that were, in reality, unrelated. Some individuals started associating the video by Rathee as a way of taking a swipe at Kapoor for being vocal on the matter. Screenshots and opinions began pouring out on social media.
Dhruv Rathee Reacts to Claims of Teasing Janhvi Kapoor
Realizing the increasing levels of confusion, Dhruv Rathee posted an explanation video addressing the allegations. Dhruv Rathee clearly denied making fun of Janhvi Kapoor or responding to her Instagram story in any manner whatsoever. He asked the viewers to think rationally before accepting such stories.
He clarified that planning and recording a YouTube video of 25-30 minutes is not something which could be completed as soon as one wakes up the next morning. He asked, “How could anyone think I read Kapoor’s post and then made such a full-fledged video just like that?” Rathee emphasized the fact that the video was conceptualized and edited long before the controversy even existed.
Rathee Calls Upon Citizens to Use Logics Instead of Assumptions
During Rathee’s clarification, he strongly condemned the practice of believing all things that go viral on social media. He told viewers that even if something is trending on social media, it is not necessarily true.
Rathee also emphasized another aspect he has noticed in this regard:
“When people begin to no longer question the headings in forwarded posts, the dissemination of misinformation speeds up sharply.” Rathee was implying here that there are some groups on the internet who typically promote misleading information in order to trigger reactions like confusion among the people. “Think before you believe, and verify before you repeat”: the message couldn’t have been simpler, nor more necessary.
“Why Would I Criticise Her?” Rathee Questions the Narrative
In discussing the private side of the accusations, Rathee went on to answer a simple question of his own, namely: ‘Why even criticize Janhvi Kapoor?’ He explained, “If I have an issue with something someone said or a thought they have, it’s better to talk to them directly and not make those backhanded compliments everybody’s been making these last few days.”
He added that he has never been afraid to speak his mind and heart out whether it is a politician or a Bollywood celebrity. Rathee says that he is the kind of person who speaks out openly and therefore indirect comments do not suit his communication style at all. “This is what he meant,” he said. “And that will shut down any idea that his message is somehow implicit.”
“What Dhruv Rathee’s Video Was Actually About” Is
In an attempt to clear all misunderstandings, Rathee stated the actual reason behind the creation of The FAKE Beauty of Bollywood Celebrities. In the video, the topic explored is the unrealistic standard of beauty promoted within the entertainment industry and the adverse effects caused due to the overuse of beauty procedures on this platform.
He talked about the pressure to be “perfect” and how this was made worse by social media. The video was made to create awareness of body image, mental health issues, and how celebrities make people’s expectations unrealistic. Rathee reiterated that the video is in no way related to Janhvi Kapoor, her Instagram post, and the incident in Bangladesh. He did not mention her name or criticize her opinions in the video at all.
Debunking the Thumbnail Change Rumors
Another rumor that spread online is that Rathee altered the thumbnail of his video in response to negative comments about it. Responding to this, Rathee revealed that he changes the thumbnail of his video frequently as part of optimizing on YouTube. He informed that it was a normal practice among creators that they test the thumbnails to figure out the engagement and reach. As stated by Rathee, the change of the thumbnail had nothing to do with trolling or any form of criticize and was just part of the normal course. With this clarification, there was even less reason to associate his video with Janhvi Kapoor’s post.
Janhvi Kapoor’s Instagram Post on the Bangladesh Lynching
On the same day of the release of Rathee’s video, Janhvi Kapoor posted a heartfelt message on Instagram Stories, condemning the lynching of a 27-year-old Hindu man named Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh. The incident has allegedly occurred in Mymensingh, and Das was beaten up by a mob there. Kapoor has described the act of beating and killing a woman in such a manner as “barbaric.” However, Kapoor has also made a statement regarding this act, which should not be considered a single incident. Her post has gained widespread attention, with people appreciating her efforts for pointing out an alarming humanitarian crisis through her post.
Timing: The Key To A Seemingly Staged Scandal
In the midst of the entire problem, there is one basic element involved—the timing factor. Two unrelated events took place on the same day, and social media followers managed to link them in a situation where there is no factual basis to do so. Incidences in the fast-paced digital culture of the contemporary world often become controversies in a few hours.
Algorithms, opinions, and polarized thinking all add to such reports, making it difficult for facts to keep up with assumptions. This is an example of how quickly information can get out of hand if context is not taken into consideration.
Rathee’s elaborate explanation brought a lot of clarity to viewers.
After the video was put up by Dhruv Rathee, comments on social media sites remained mixed. While some people stood by him and condemned the spread of false information, others continued to appear skeptical about the video’s authenticity.
On the other hand, Janhvi Kapoor also continued to receive support for raising voices against violence and injustice. It was also agreed by most neutral onlookers that the video and the post were not meant to be connected in the first place. Final Thoughts: Why Context and Clarity Matter Online The controversy surrounding the scenario between the Dhruv Rathee and Janhvi Kapoor episode brings an important aspect to the fore when considering today’s technology culture. Taking assumptions to viral trends can lead to the overshadowing of reality.
A video analyzing the beauty standards of Bollywood and an Instagram post condemning violence became the focal point of controversy due to the coincidental timing of the event. Dhruv Rathee’s clarification indicates that there was no intention to mock Janhvi Kapoor. Janhvi Kapoor’s post is in itself an earnest condemnation of mob violence.
Web Stories
