Abhishek Bachchan's comment about Aaradhya goes viral amid 'Housefull 5' backlash; netizens cry hypocrisy

Abhishek Bachchan has suddenly found himself at the centre of heated discussions across Reddit, as his role in the recently released Housefull 5 comes under scrutiny. The Akshay Kumar-led comedy, which hit theatres on June 6, may be raking in money at the box office, but it's also drawing sharp criticism for its problematic humour, sexist undertones, and blatant objectification of women, all under the label of "family entertainment."

While several netizens have expressed disappointment over the film's content, it's Abhishek's participation that has sparked the most outrage. A resurfaced clip from an old interview is doing the rounds online, in which the actor candidly stated that he chooses films he can proudly watch with his daughter Aaradhya. "Since I became a girl dad, I only want to make films that I can watch with my daughter," he had said, adding that sexually explicit content makes him "uncomfortable" even as a viewer.

Reddit users didn't waste time calling out what they believed to be a clear contradiction between his words and actions. "If he's so uncomfortable with vulgarity, why sign Housefull 5?" one comment read. Another said, "He has enough wealth to sit at home or pursue something dignified, but instead chooses embarrassing roles." The subreddit threads have also seen fans joking about how furious Jaya Bachchan was after watching Happy New Year, speculating how she might react to Housefull 5.

What seems to have rubbed viewers the wrong way is the film's attempt to pass off double-meaning jokes, scantily dressed women, and crass humour as a "family comedy." Some even questioned why the female cast agreed to roles that seem to exist only for the male gaze.

Despite the outrage, Housefull 5 continues to pull in audiences and perform well commercially. Yet, this latest controversy has put Abhishek Bachchan in an awkward spotlight, with many urging him to reconsider the kind of work he takes on, especially if he genuinely means what he once said about being mindful of his daughter's perspective.