Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra recently found himself caught in a whirlwind of online debate. A behind-the-scenes video from his new film, ‘Param Sundari,’ quickly went viral. In the clip, Sidharth shares a playful moment with an elephant, offering it water. However, this seemingly innocent act sparked strong reactions and left many viewers unhappy.
The ‘Param Sundari’ film, which also stars Janhvi Kapoor, just hit theaters. It has been doing quite well, drawing a decent crowd. Yet, it’s this particular video that truly got people talking, creating both discussion and disagreement among his fans. Let’s dive into what exactly caused all the fuss.
A Drink for an Elephant, A Stir Online
The video shows the actor playfully interacting with an elephant. Sidharth is seen holding a glass of water. He takes a sip himself. Then, he offers the same glass to the elephant. During this lighthearted moment, he even says “cheers” and calls the elephant a “good girl.” This is where things took an unexpected turn for the star.
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Why the Outcry?
The heart of the controversy lies in cultural beliefs. In many communities, elephants are highly revered. They are often seen as sacred, representing deities like Lord Ganesha, also known as Ganpati Bappa. For some, offering “used” or “leftover” water, meaning water from which a human has already drunk, to such a respected animal is considered disrespectful.
Online comments quickly piled up. One user wrote, “An elephant is a form of Ganpati, how can you give it used water?” Another expressed anger, commenting with frustrated emojis, “This is totally wrong, it’s disrespect to God.” Many labeled Sidharth’s action as “ignorance.” They suggested that, as a prominent public figure, he should be more aware of cultural sensitivities. However, it’s worth noting that some of his loyal fans did step up to defend him.
‘Param Sundari’ Box Office Performance
Despite the online chatter, Sidharth’s film ‘Param Sundari’ seems to be holding its own at the box office. It premiered in cinemas on August 29. The movie enjoyed a warm reception from audiences over its opening weekend. On its first day, the film collected 7.25 crore rupees. It followed up with 9 crore rupees on Saturday. Then, on Sunday, it raked in an impressive 10.45 crore rupees. So far, ‘Param Sundari’ has accumulated 26.95 crore rupees in earnings. The film was directed by Tushar Jalota. It features a talented cast including Janhvi Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra, Sanjay Kapoor, Manjot Singh, and Abhishek Banerjee.