“Today, he’s lost all my respect.”
A video of Ayushmann Khurrana singing ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ has resurfaced, putting him at the centre of a social media storm.
Ayushmann Khurrana is an acclaimed Bollywood actor and singer. He sang the song in a concert in Dubai.
The song was originally penned and released by the Pakistani band Vital Signs in 1987.
It achieved enduring popularity, earning its status as an ‘unofficial national anthem’ among Pakistanis.
Ayushmann’s rendition, however, ignited a firestorm of opinions on both sides of the India-Pakistan border.
This fervour intensified due to Ayushmann’s recent attendance at the Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony.
He was spotted alongside other stars including Rajinikanth, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and more.
Indian social media witnessed a surge of criticism directed at Ayushmann.
Calls for boycotting the actor gained momentum, with some users demanding his exile to Pakistan.
One said: “Disgusting. Boycott Ayushmann Khurrana. Exile him to go live in Pakistan.”
Another wrote: “Today, he’s lost all my respect.”
One remarked: “He has sung it so bad, that it’s almost a disrespect to the song.
“What an unmelodic rendition, lol. I’m sure even Pakistanis are lamenting this stranded Pakistani.”
On the other side, Pakistani social media users defended Ayushmann Khurrana.
They applauded his rendition and emphasised the need to separate music and art from politics.
One person wrote on X: “Much respect for Ayushmann.”
Another asserted: “Dil Dil Pakistan is so good that even our neighbours sing it with passion.”
Digging deeper into the controversy, it was revealed that the viral clip was from 2017. During it, Ayushmann acknowledged fans from various states.
The footage, which continues to circulate on social media, captures the actor giving a shout-out to Punjabi and Bengali fans.
Media reports confirmed that the concert was aimed at fostering relations between India and Pakistan.
Bollywood actor Ayushman Khurana singing Dil dil Pakistan..
— Frontalforce ?? (@FrontalForce) January 24, 2024
Ayushmann’s PR team further clarified that he joined Atif Aslam at the Dubai concert.
The purpose was to promote goodwill between the two nations.
However, the timing of the video’s circulation, just days after Ayushmann participated in the Ram Mandir event, intensified the backlash.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consecration of the Ram Temple added more scrutiny to Ayushmann’s role in the high-profile event.
The presence of notable personalities from various sectors fuelled questions about the artist’s place in such a significant ceremony.
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