A viral video purportedly from Benaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi has stirred controversy as it delves into the dating history of Bollywood star Deepika Padukone. The footage, widely circulating on the Internet, features a female student portraying Deepika's character 'Mastani,' surrounded by male counterparts dressed as rumored past boyfriends or connections.
The performance appears to satirize Deepika's views on 'casual dating,' a topic she discussed on the popular chat show 'Koffee With Karan.' On the show, Deepika said that she and her husband, Ranveer Singh, were open to the idea of casual dating before their engagement, sparking a wave of memes and jokes.
Taking an unfortunate turn, the video is dubbed 'Deepika ki Kahaani, BHU ki Zubaani,' showcasing images of individuals the actress is alleged to have dated. This portrayal has triggered strong reactions from netizens who decry the act as "character assassination."
Online sentiments express dismay at the video's derogatory nature towards Deepika Padukone.
One Internet user wrote, "Memes are ok but this is the character assassination of Indian actress Deepika Padukone! It just shows the mindset of the cheapest! It’s a shameful act."
Another user condemns the university for permitting such content, stating that it impedes societal growth.
Calls for legal action have also surfaced, with users demanding a defamation lawsuit against the creators of the video. They argue that subjecting an individual to character assassination in a public setting and online constitutes a form of mental harassment, urging Deepika's legal team to intervene.
(With agency inputs)
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