Sex, films, drug cases, celeb spats and filmi controversies, here’s a list of all the kept Twitterati on their fingers this year!!
Aryan Khan’s Arrest in a Drugs Case
King Khan’s eldest born landed in trouble when, in October, he was arrested in connection with a drug bust aboard a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested him and he had to spend almost three weeks in jail. He was released on bail on October 28. The case was hounded by the media and after many ups and lows, Aryan was released for “want of substance possession in his person.”
Kangana Ranaut banned from Twitter
Firebrand Manikarna was banned from Twitter in May. She reportedly made inflammatory comments about the West Bengal elections when Twitter decided to ban her permanently. Since then, she has been sharing her ‘thoughts’ on Instagram and the homegrown Koo app instead. But not one to mince words, Kangana has been stirring the hornet’s nest there too. One thing is sure…. Love or hate her but you certainly cannot ignore her!!!
Raj Kundra’ Porn Case
In July, Shilpa Shetty’s husband, businessman Raj Kundra was arrested in connection with an alleged porn racket. He was accused of producing and distributing pornographic content through his apps. The couple kept silent on the arrest for a while but Shilpa finally released a statement on social media, asking everyone to be respectful of her privacy. She added that she had faith in the country’s judiciary to deliver justice. Raj was released on bail in September.
IT raids on Anurag Kashyap and Taapsee Pannu
The Income Tax department raided properties of actor Taapsee Pannu and director Anurag Kashyap in March. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman also commented on the raids. A few days after the raid, Taapsee tweeted: “Three days of intense search of three things primarily. 1. The keys of the ‘alleged’ bungalow that I apparently own in Paris. Because summer holidays are around the corner. 2. The ‘alleged’ receipt is worth 5 crores to frame and keep for future pitching. 3. My memory of the 2013 raid that happened with me according to our honourable finance minister.”
Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya’s split
Weeks after rumours separated the couple, the divorce actually did happen. Actors Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya confirmed that they were parting ways. Soon after, fresh gossip was afloat on possible reasons, from Samantha being the one on a flirtatious binge to not wanting to have kids. “Thank you all for showing deep empathy, concern and for defending me against false rumours and stories that are being spread. They say I had affairs, never wanted children, that I am an opportunist and now that I have had abortions,” she tweeted.
The backlash against Jehangir’s name
The Saifeena couple face a fresh onslaught in August when the name of their second son, Jehangir, was revealed to the world. A section of people took offence to name after a Mughal emperor. “Honestly, these are names that we just liked; it’s nothing else. They are beautiful names and they’re beautiful boys. It’s unfathomable why somebody would troll children. I feel terrible about it, but I have to just focus and get through it. I can’t be looking at my life through the trolls,” Bebo was quick to post on social media.
Tandav Moves
Saif Ali Khan’s Amazon Prime show hit a bunch of controversies and boycott calls upon release. Multiple FIRs against the series’ director Ali Abbas Zafar, producer, writer, actors and Amazon India Originals’ head Aparna Purohit, were filed in six states. The makers of the web series faced criminal cases for hurting religious sentiments. Ali released a statement and apologised for hurting his sentiments. He also snipped the offensive dance that led to the protests.
