Janhvi Kapoor has addressed the online criticism she faced after a video of her chanting "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" at a Dahi Handi event in Mumbai went viral. The actress was present at the event in Ghatkopar as part of the promotions for her upcoming film, "Param Sundari," also starring Sidharth Malhotra. The film is slated to release on August 29, 2025.
During the Janmashtami celebration, Kapoor broke the traditional 'matki' (earthen pot) with a coconut. Instead of the customary chant of "Jai Shri Krishna" associated with the festival, she enthusiastically shouted, "Bharat Mata Ki Jai!". This immediately caught the attention of social media users, with many questioning if she had confused the occasion with Independence Day.
The video rapidly spread across social media platforms, triggering a wave of humorous reactions. Some users playfully remarked, "Happy Janma-Swatantra Day, y'all," while others quipped, "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav 2.0". One user jokingly said, "Achha hua Amrendra Bahubali nahi boli". Another comment read, "Sab ke gale tak 'Jai Shri Krishna' aa gaya tha, tabhi script palat di". Some users simply wrote, "Out of syllabus!".
Amidst the online frenzy, Janhvi Kapoor has now responded to the backlash. According to reports, she took to Instagram to clarify her stance. She stated that BJP MLA Ram Kadam had initiated the chant first, and her part in the video was edited out. Janhvi further asserted, "Sirf Janmashtami nahi, roz bolungi Bharat Mata ki jai". This statement reflects her firm stance and patriotism, further explaining that she doesn't need an occasion to chant "Bharat Mata Ki Jai."
Prior to the controversy, Janhvi was seen addressing the crowd in Marathi and urging them to watch her upcoming movie. Videos also surfaced showing Janhvi being mobbed by a large crowd while exiting the venue. Despite appearing uncomfortable, she maintained her composure until her security managed to escort her to her car.
"Param Sundari," directed by Tushar Jalota, is a romantic drama set against the backdrop of Delhi and Kerala. The film has already courted controversy due to a church scene, with a Christian group demanding its removal. Some have also criticized Janhvi's Malayali accent in the movie. The film features Rajeev Khandelwal and Aakash Dahiya in supporting roles.
