Several A-list Bollywood celebrities have recently expressed their solidarity with Palestine, igniting a wave of support and backlash. Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, and Varun Dhawan took to their Instagram Stories to extend their support for Palestine in the wake of recent events. However, their actions sparked a ‘Boycott Bollywood’ trend on social media, drawing criticism and attention from various quarters. Notably, Pooja Bhatt, a veteran Bollywood personality, took to her official social media handle to address the trend and defend the industry’s collective voice against atrocities in Palestine.
In a reactive post, Pooja shared a screengrab of the ‘Boycott Bollywood’ hashtag, expressing her concerns about the recurring backlash faced by the entertainment industry for speaking out on global issues. She emphasized the price paid by the industry for raising awareness about the human rights violations in Palestine and included the hashtag ‘All eyes on Rafah’ to underscore the seriousness of the situation. In response to the negative comments and gaslighting, she reposted her stance, highlighting the predictable nature of such backlash.
Furthermore, Alia Bhatt, Pooja’s half-sister, and Kareena Kapoor showed their support by resharing poignant posts on their Instagram Stories. Alia’s post emphasized the importance of love, safety, peace, and life for all children, while Kareena shared a statement from UNICEF condemning the violence in Rafah. Varun Dhawan also joined his colleagues in sharing the ‘All Eyes on Rafah’ image, showcasing solidarity with the affected families.
The movement ‘All Eyes on Rafah’ gained momentum on social media, symbolizing unity and support for Palestine against the backdrop of the recent attacks. However, the emergence of the ‘Boycott Bollywood’ trend signaled a divide in opinions, with some questioning the industry’s stance on global issues. Amidst the online discourse, various Bollywood personalities, including Rashmika Mandanna, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Priyanka Chopra, lent their voices to the cause, advocating for peace and justice.
The escalating tensions in Palestine, as highlighted by the recent Israeli shelling and airstrikes in Rafah, have sparked a global conversation on the humanitarian crisis. While Bollywood stars continue to show their support for affected communities, the industry faces scrutiny and criticism for its collective stance on international matters. Pooja Bhatt’s response to the ‘Boycott Bollywood’ trend exemplifies the challenges faced by artists and professionals in navigating sensitive geopolitical issues while maintaining their commitment to social justice and solidarity.
