The social media world is abuzz with criticism towards Shah Rukh Khan for what many perceive as a disrespectful nickname for Ram Charan during Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding festivities in Jamnagar. The incident unfolded as Shah Rukh, along with Bollywood icons Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, performed “Naatu Naatu,” a song Ram Charan originally starred in with NT Rama Rao Jr. During the performance, Shah Rukh’s persistent calls for Ram Charan to join them on stage were marred by his use of incoherent Telugu and the word ‘idli,’ leading to accusations of racism.
The backlash was swift on platforms like X, where one user accused Shah Rukh of being racist towards South Indians, pointing out the irony of offending Ram Charan despite Shah Rukh’s success with South Indian director Atlee’s “Jawan.” Another critic attributed the act to Shah Rukh’s ego, questioning his acting prowess. The controversy further heated up with Zeba Hassan Zaidi, Ram Charan’s makeup artist, reportedly exiting the event, her discontent evident in a shared Instagram Story.
Despite the criticism, there were voices in Shah Rukh’s defense, arguing that his comment was meant to be humorous rather than derogatory. Meanwhile, Ram Charan displayed no hard feelings, quickly taking the stage with the Khans and participating in the “Naatu Naatu” performance, showcasing a spirit of camaraderie amidst the controversy.
