By – Prakarsh Kastwar
As 2024 draws to a close, it’s time to look back at the controversies that made headlines in the world of entertainment. While the year saw its fair share of box office hits, rising stars, and star-studded weddings, the limelight wasn’t always kind to celebrities. From violent incidents to legal battles and heated public spats, the year 2024 had its fair share of drama. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest controversies in Bollywood, Tollywood, and beyond.
1. Salman Khan’s Security Threats and Shootout Incident
One of the most talked-about controversies of 2024 was the ongoing threats to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. The actor reportedly received multiple threats from the notorious Bishnoi gang throughout the year. In January, two unknown individuals were caught trying to trespass on Salman’s farmhouse, sparking a police investigation. In April, gunmen on motorcycles opened fire outside Salman’s residence, Galaxy Apartments in Mumbai, firing five rounds. Police linked the incident to the notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. This heightened the actor’s security, but the situation escalated when, in October, NCP leader Baba Siddiqui—an old friend of Salman Khan—was murdered, allegedly by the Bishnoi gang. Siddiqui’s association with Salman made him a target, adding to the tension surrounding the actor’s safety.
2. The Renukaswamy Murder Case Involving Actor Darshan
In a shocking turn of events, South Indian actor Darshan Thoogudeepa found himself embroiled in a murder case that caught national attention. In June, Darshan and his friend Pavithra were accused of orchestrating the murder of Renukaswamy, a fan of the actor. According to reports, Pavithra had filed a complaint against Renukaswamy, and the actor allegedly decided to “teach him a lesson.” The murder was planned, and the case became a major headline in the South Indian film industry. Darshan, Pavithra, and others involved were arrested, though the Karnataka High Court granted them bail in the later months.
3. The Controversial Kissing Scene in ‘Fighter’
Bollywood’s January release Fighter, starring Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, was embroiled in controversy over a kissing scene between the two leads. A former IPS officer filed a legal notice against the filmmakers, criticizing the scene. The controversy snowballed on social media, with many netizens voicing their disapproval of the scene. The filmmakers were forced to issue statements defending their creative choices, while critics continued to argue about the appropriateness of such scenes in mainstream cinema.
4. Poonam Pandey’s Fake Death Hoax
One of the most bizarre and attention-grabbing incidents of 2024 involved actress Poonam Pandey, who was the subject of a fake death hoax. Her Instagram account shared a post declaring her death, which led to widespread media reports and social media reactions. The hoax was revealed the next day when Pandey posted another update explaining that her fake death was a publicity stunt aimed at raising awareness about cervical cancer. The incident garnered significant attention, leading to a surge in searches for Poonam Pandey, securing her a place in the top 10 of Google’s most searched topics of 2024.
5. Arshad Warsi’s Comments on Prabhas Stir Up a South vs Bollywood Debate
Actor Arshad Warsi found himself at the center of a storm after making a comment about Prabhas’ character in the upcoming film Kalki 2898 AD. Warsi referred to Prabhas’ character as a “joker,” sparking outrage among South Indian movie fans. A backlash ensued, with many South film industry figures defending Prabhas and criticizing Warsi’s remark. Warsi later clarified that he was commenting on the character, not the actor himself, and expressed his admiration for Prabhas as an artist. Despite the clarification, the controversy fuelled the ongoing Bollywood vs South cinema debate, dividing opinions across the country.
6. Controversy Over Box Office Figures of Alia Bhatt’s ‘Jigra’
Alia Bhatt’s much-anticipated film Jigra, released in October, was marred by allegations of fake box office collections. Actress and producer Divya Khosla Kumar accused the makers of inflating the film’s earnings to create an illusion of success. This accusation led to a public spat between Khosla Kumar and Jigra producer Karan Johar, who dismissed the claims as baseless. Additionally, Khosla Kumar’s team accused Jigra of copying the storyline from the film Savi, resulting in further friction. This controversy put a damper on the film’s promotional campaign and cast a shadow over its box office performance.
7. AR Rahman’s Divorce Announcement
Music maestro AR Rahman shocked fans worldwide when he announced his separation from his wife, Saira Banu, after 29 years of marriage. The news broke on November 19, when Rahman used the hashtag #ARRSairaaBreakup on social media. The announcement sparked a wave of reactions online, with many expressing surprise and sadness. Rahman faced trolling for using the hashtag, with some questioning his decision to publicly share such a personal matter. Despite the controversy, Rahman’s fans and well-wishers offered their support to the musician and his family.
8. Telangana Minister’s Comment on Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s Divorce
In a politically charged statement, Telangana Minister Konda Surekha made controversial remarks about the divorce of South Indian actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu and actor Naga Chaitanya. She blamed opposition leader K.T. Rama Rao for the couple’s split, prompting a massive backlash from both Samantha and Chaitanya, who stated that their separation was a mutual decision. Several celebrities from the South Indian film industry rallied behind Samantha and Naga, calling out the minister for her inappropriate remarks. Surekha eventually clarified her statement, but the incident remained a hot topic for weeks.
9. The Kidnapping of Sunil Pal and Mushtaq Khan
In an alarming turn of events, comedians Sunil Pal and actor Mushtaq Khan were both kidnapped by a gang involved in extorting ransom from celebrities. Pal was kidnapped on December 2, while Khan’s abduction occurred earlier in November. The gang’s modus operandi was to lure celebrities to events and then abduct them for money. The kidnappings led to a police investigation, and the gang behind these crimes was soon apprehended. The incident left the entertainment community shaken and raised questions about the safety of celebrities in India.
10. Tragic Incident at the Premiere of ‘Pushpa 2’
The release of Pushpa 2 in December came with massive excitement, but also a tragic incident. At the film’s premiere in Hyderabad, a stampede broke out as fans surged to get a glimpse of star Allu Arjun. Tragically, a woman lost her life in the chaos. Allu Arjun was arrested by the police in connection with the incident, although he was later released after the woman’s husband publicly cleared him of any wrongdoing. Despite the incident, Pushpa 2 went on to become a massive box-office success, but the controversy surrounding the premiere remained a dark cloud over the film’s release.
Conclusion
The year 2024 was filled with its fair share of high-profile controversies in the entertainment industry. From threats on celebrity lives to legal battles and tragic accidents, the spotlight was not always kind. However, amid all the drama, the industry also witnessed major successes, new talent, and memorable moments. As we step into 2025, the entertainment world continues to captivate audiences, but these controversies remind us that celebrity culture often comes with a darker side.