Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor has once again found herself at the center of online debate. The young star, who was attending a Janmashtami Dahi Handi event in Mumbai, became the subject of heavy trolling after she enthusiastically greeted the crowd with “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” instead of the more traditional “Jai Shree Krishna.”
The incident quickly went viral on social media, dividing netizens into two camps—some supporting her patriotic expression, while others criticized her for being insensitive to the religious context of the event.
In this article, we take a closer look at what really happened, why it sparked such controversy, and what it tells us about the expectations placed on celebrities in India.
The Incident: What Happened at the Dahi Handi Event?
Janhvi Kapoor attended a grand Janmashtami celebration on August 17, 2025, in Mumbai. The event was filled with music, energy, and thousands of devotees who gathered to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.
While addressing the crowd, Janhvi Kapoor raised her hands and shouted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” Normally, at Janmashtami events, people greet the audience with “Jai Shree Krishna” as a mark of devotion to Lord Krishna. This difference sparked an immediate wave of reactions online once the video went viral.
Why the Greeting Sparked Backlash
The backlash wasn’t simply about what Janhvi said, but more about the context in which she said it.
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Cultural Expectations – Janmashtami is a festival deeply associated with devotion and spirituality. Devotees expected a religious slogan like “Jai Shree Krishna” instead of a nationalist one.
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Religious Sensitivity – Many social media users argued that celebrities attending cultural or religious functions should remain mindful of traditions.
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Overexposure of Celebrities – Every word of a Bollywood actor is amplified online. What might have been an innocent and enthusiastic greeting turned into a trending debate.
Social Media Reactions
As soon as the clip spread, social media was flooded with comments:
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Supporters praised her energy:
“What’s wrong with saying Bharat Mata Ki Jai? She is spreading patriotism along with positivity.”
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Critics expressed disappointment:
“This was a Krishna Janmashtami event, and everyone was chanting Jai Shree Krishna. She should have respected the tradition.”
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Neutral voices tried to calm things down:
“Both slogans are equally powerful. People are overreacting over a minor issue.”
The trolling largely came from people who felt her greeting was “out of place,” while her fans defended her, claiming there was no harm in celebrating both nation and devotion.
Bollywood and Religious Sensitivity
This isn’t the first time a Bollywood celebrity has been trolled for remarks or gestures linked to religion. In India, where festivals are celebrated with deep cultural significance, stars are expected to align with traditions during public appearances.
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In the past, actors like Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt have also faced trolling for their comments during festival promotions.
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The fine line between cultural celebration and celebrity enthusiasm often blurs, leading to unwanted controversies.
Janhvi Kapoor’s Upcoming Film Connection
Interestingly, Janhvi Kapoor was at the event as part of promotional activities for her upcoming movie “Param Sundari.” Public events like Dahi Handi celebrations are often used by Bollywood stars to connect with audiences.
However, promotional events during festivals can backfire if the celebrity doesn’t strike the right cultural chord with the crowd.
The Bigger Picture: Patriotism vs. Religious Devotion
The controversy also raises an important debate: Can patriotism and religious devotion coexist, or should they remain separate in specific contexts?
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Saying “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” reflects national pride, which is always appreciated in India.
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Saying “Jai Shree Krishna” reflects devotion to Lord Krishna, which is most relevant during Janmashtami.
While both slogans are positive, the timing and setting made Janhvi Kapoor’s greeting appear disconnected from the mood of the festival.
Lessons for Celebrities
This incident highlights some important lessons for public figures in India:
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Context Matters – Greetings should align with the event’s theme.
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Cultural Awareness – Celebrities must be more mindful of traditions, especially during religious celebrations.
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Public Scrutiny is High – In the age of social media, even small gestures can be magnified into nationwide debates.
Conclusion
The trolling of Janhvi Kapoor at the Janmashtami event is a reminder of how carefully every move of a celebrity is analyzed in India. While her greeting of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” was patriotic and positive, many felt it was contextually inappropriate at a religious celebration dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Whether one sees this as a minor slip-up or an overblown controversy, the incident shows the tightrope celebrities must walk between patriotism, cultural traditions, and public expectations.
For Janhvi Kapoor, the buzz around this controversy might fade quickly, but it once again reinforces how the digital age can amplify even the smallest of moments into national debates.
