April 4, 2023
ISLAMABAD – The opening of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai has been the talk of the town lately. It had the biggest stars in the industry in attendance, including some who crossed over from Hollywood. While crossovers are exciting, Indian netizens felt “embarrassed” by Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan who performed at the event and picked up model Gigi Hadid on stage, spun her and kissed her on the cheek before setting her down. Dhawan has now responded and said it was all scripted.
He addressed the backlash on Twitter and wrote, “I guess today you woke up and decided to be woke. Let me burst your bubble and tell you it was planned for her to be onstage so find a new Twitter cause to vent about rather than going out and doing something about things. Good morning.”
I guess today you woke up and decided to be woke. So lemme burst ur bubble and tell u it was planned for her to be on stage so find a new Twitter cause to vent about rather then going out and doing something about things . Good morning 🙏 https://t.co/9O7Hg43y0S
— VarunDhawan (@Varun_dvn) April 2, 2023
On day two of the event, the Student of the Year actor beckoned Hadid on stage and spun her mid-performance. He kissed her cheek before she walked off stage. Twitter users raised the issue of consent, as this ‘forceful’ behaviour did not sit right with them.
Wtf why did Varun Dhawan lift gigi Hadid !! This is not expected 😭#NMACC pic.twitter.com/tMuE3ESM1j
— 𝐀𝐬𝐚 (@coconut_codie) April 1, 2023
They felt incredibly embarrassed in association.
varun dhawan lifting gigi hadid is the most embarrassing thing on the internet today
— ew? (@beefevde) April 1, 2023
No way Varun Dhawan lifted and twirled Gigi Hadid and then kissed her on the cheek ON STAGE 😭😭😭 why are these people always embarrassing us
— Maz 🦋 (@callmemaz) April 1, 2023
i would not have blamed gigi if she had slapped varun dhawan right then and there on the stage
— politically pasta (@dild0sell3r) April 2, 2023
Basically.
*Varun dhawan lifts gigi hadid on the stage*
Desi twitter : pic.twitter.com/2bbS9yGDTf
— Vodka + Cyanide (@Riskiest_Poison) April 2, 2023
Apparently, things are not always as they seem. Hadid re-shared the video on her Instagram story captioned, “Varun Dhawan making my Bollywood dreams come true.”
Twitter:
“Gigi won't ever come back to India”
“Varun harassed Gigi Hadid”
“Gigi Hadid was clearly uncomfortable”Meanwhile Gigi: “Thank you Varun Dhawan for making my Bollywood dream come true ”
Where are you guys now? 😭 pic.twitter.com/qLjGIT6c2g
— Annesha (@ApnaaVarun) April 2, 2023
If that wasn’t enough, she gave another all-clear sign by following the actor on Instagram.
GIGI HADID FOLLOWED VARUN DHAWAN ?!?!! WHERE ARE YOU BISHES? pic.twitter.com/24Ntl3GWWO
— Annesha (@ApnaaVarun) April 2, 2023
This Twitter user seems to have zoomed in on the details everyone else missed.
y'all are so annoying she's literally laughing walking off the stage AND it was clearly scripted.
leave gigi hadid and varun dhawan alone 😭 https://t.co/Cz0AnMsCaJ pic.twitter.com/gUGVChlQPA— sona (@swiftlydunphy) April 2, 2023
This is what we should have focused on instead.
Varun dhawan twirling Gigi Hadid is the real multiverse of madness 😭
— izzehhhh (@meintobluberihu) April 1, 2023
As long as consent is present, there’s no issue, cringe content or not.