Veteran Bollywood producer Boney Kapoor has sparked a debate about the motives of actors attending prestigious events like Wimbledon. His comments come months after his daughter, Janhvi Kapoor, was spotted at the Wimbledon 2025 semi-final match in London. Janhvi attended the event with her rumored boyfriend, Shikhar Pahariya.

Kapoor senior, known for his marketing tactics for films like Mr. India, expressed his skepticism about the current trend of actors attending events primarily for photo opportunities. "Now actors will go and sit at Wimbledon just for photo ops. 90 percent of those people don't know what tennis is all about, but because their picture is being clicked at such a prestigious event, they go," he stated in a recent interview.

Janhvi's appearance at Wimbledon garnered significant attention. She wore a blue and white check printed Miu Miu dress with floral embellishments, paired with wine-red heels and Miu Miu accessories. Her presence, along with other Indian celebrities, at the tournament ignited a discussion about the "desification of Wimbledon". Diet Sabya, an anonymous Instagram watchdog known for its commentary on fashion and pop culture, posted about the increasing number of Indian celebrities at the event, questioning whether it was becoming another Cannes Film Festival.

The Royal Box at Wimbledon is reserved for VIP guests, including celebrities, athletes, and members of the royal family. Invitations are extended by the chairperson of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC), with input from the club's committee and other prominent figures in tennis.

Boney Kapoor's remarks have opened up a broader conversation about the motivations behind celebrity appearances at such events. While some view it as a proud moment to see Indian celebrities on global platforms, others believe it's a strategic move for PR and self-promotion. Sonam Kapoor responded to the "desification" comments with excitement, saying, "Love the captions! Indians everywhere! So good na?".

The debate also touches upon the authenticity of interest in the sport versus the perceived glamour and prestige associated with attending Wimbledon. Some social media users have echoed Boney Kapoor's sentiment, suggesting that many celebrities are simply using the event to enhance their public image. Others defended celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, who has been attending Wimbledon for years.

In addition to Janhvi Kapoor, Wimbledon 2025 saw a host of other Indian celebrities, including Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, Sonam Kapoor, Preity Zinta, and Neena Gupta. Neena Gupta made headlines for wearing a saree, a departure from the event's traditional Western dress code.