Last Updated:
From slaps and shootings to shocking arrests and divorce rumours — Bollywood and South film industry in 2024 were anything but dull.
The controversies that rocked the film industry,
From slaps and shootings to shocking arrests and divorce rumours — Bollywood and South film industry in 2024 were anything but dull. As the industry continues to dazzle audiences on-screen, these off-screen controversies remind us that drama often extends far beyond the silver screen.
Kangana Ranaut Slapped
MP-actress Kangana Ranaut was in the headlines when a CISF officer slapped her at an airport. The incident reportedly stemmed from the officer’s grievances regarding Kangana’s past comments on political issues. The slap sparked debates about professionalism and personal opinions and left the internet divided.
Salman Khan on Target
Salman Khan’s year was marked by a series of threats from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who openly declared Salman as a target. The situation turned more serious when a firing incident occurred outside Salman’s Galaxy Apartments residence in Mumbai. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the attack, heightening concerns about the actor’s safety.
IC814 Name Row
The makers of the Netflix series IC814: The Kandahar Hijack found themselves in hot water after they reportedly changed the names of the IC814 hijackers. The show, based on the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight by terrorists, featured Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Arvind Swamy and Dia Mirza. The controversy began on social media as many pointed out the non-Muslim names of the hijackers in the show and sought a boycott.
Jaya Bachchan Parliament Row
Veteran actress and MP Jaya Bachchan created a stir in Parliament when she clashed with Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar over his decision to address her as “Jaya Amitabh Bachchan.” In a passionate speech, she said that while she is proud of her husband’s achievements, she deserves to be recognised as “Jaya Bachchan.”
Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai Divorce Rumours
Rumours of a separation between Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai gained momentum after Aishwarya made a solo appearance at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding. Her subsequent solo outings, often accompanied by her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan, contrasted sharply with Abhishek’s appearances alongside his family — Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan and Shweta Bachchan. This fuelled speculation that they might be separated, although the couple maintained their dignified silence amid the chatter.
Allu Arjun Arrested
South superstar Allu Arjun’s year took a dark turn when he was briefly arrested following a tragic stampede during the Pushpa 2 premiere at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4. The incident occurred when Allu Arjun, music composer Devi Sri Prasad and co-star Rashmika Mandanna made an appearance at the theatre, leading to chaos that resulted in the unfortunate death of a woman. The actor spent a night in jail and was later granted bail.
Poonam Pandey Faked Death
Poonam Pandey stunned the nation with a bizarre publicity stunt when her team announced her death from cervical cancer on her Instagram account. Social media was flooded with tributes, only for Poonam to reappear the next day, claiming the act was meant to raise awareness about cervical cancer. The stunt, while sparking conversations about women’s health, also drew a lot of criticism for its blatant insensitivity.
When Television and South Industries Stole the Headlines
The drama wasn’t limited to Bollywood — television served its fair share of controversies, with Anupamaa leading the charge for all the wrong reasons. The show’s once-stellar cast saw major exits, including Paras Kalnawat, Nidhi Shah, Sudhanshu Pandey, Gaurav Khanna and Aashish Mehrotra, sparking whispers of intense backstage conflicts. But the real shocker came when Rupali Ganguly, the show’s main lead, found herself in a family feud. Her stepdaughter accused her of being the reason behind her parents’ broken marriage, escalating the fight into a full-fledged legal war.
Meanwhile, Yeh Hai Mohabbatein actress Krishna Mukherjee stirred up headlines with explosive allegations against the production team of Shubh Shagun. She accused the producers of harassment, claiming they locked her in a makeup room and refused to clear her dues.
Down South, the Malayalam film industry wasn’t spared either, as the MeToo movement roared back to life following the Hema Committee report. The nearly 300-page document revealed a shocking culture of exploitation, painting a grim picture of the industry. The report triggered a wave of survivors speaking out, with big names being accused and about multiple FIRs filed. The fallout was massive, with AMMA members— including superstar Mohanlal — resigning and arrests being made.
The internet also erupted when Nayanthara dropped a scathing open letter accusing Dhanush of holding personal grudges and refusing to issue a No Objection Certificate for the use of songs from their 2014 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in her Netflix documentary, Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale. Dhanush didn’t take it lying down, retaliating with a Rs 10 crore lawsuit for the alleged unauthorised use of footage. He also sued Nayanthara in the Madras High Court.
