Controversies that shook Bollywood in 2025 (so far): From Deepika-Vanga case to 'Hera Pheri 3' fiasco

If you thought Bollywood in 2025 would be about grand narratives, box office numbers, and cinematic spectacle, think again. This year, the film industry served more than just masala on-screen. Off-screen, it dished out a piping hot platter of controversies, featuring everything from police complaints and courtroom chaos to stabbings and social media meltdowns. The first half of the year unfolded like a potboiler that no screenwriter could’ve imagined: complete with dramatic exits, teary confessions, and Twitter tantrums that turned stars into trending hashtags overnight.

What began as the usual shuffle of film releases and casting announcements quickly spiraled into a whirlwind of viral headlines. Whether it was veteran actors turning volatile or young stars baring their souls (and scars) online, 2025’s Bollywood narrative was less about fiction and more about the fraying realities of fame. Here’s a deeper look at how India’s biggest film industry became a carousel of chaos in just six months.

The Curious Case of Phir Hera Pheri 3

Paresh Rawal’s sudden exit from Phir Hera Pheri 3 came as a jolt to fans who had grown up quoting Baburao’s iconic one-liners. Rawal revealed he walked away due to an alleged fallout with Akshay Kumar and over a controversial Rs 15 crore contract clause. He even returned his Rs 11 lakh signing amount, which should’ve been the end of the matter. But the situation escalated when Akshay Kumar’s legal team filed a Rs 25 crore suit, accusing Rawal of breach of contract.

As the public tried to process the implosion of this beloved comedy franchise, new reports emerged that Paresh Rawal was back. Yes, within weeks, the veteran actor quietly rejoined the project. Was it closure? Damage control? Pure PR wizardry? Nobody knows. But the spectacle had already become a mini-series of its own: a beloved trilogy turned behind-the-scenes soap opera.

Babil Khan: When Vulnerability Went Viral

Babil Khan, son of the late Irrfan Khan, took to Instagram in a way that few star kids do, with brutal honesty. Posting a tearful video, Babil admitted to struggling with depression, calling the industry toxic, and referencing certain actors, like Shanya Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Adarsh Gourav, Siddhant Chaturvedi and others, insinuating that he felt had betrayed or belittled him. The internet, hungry for drama, interpreted it as a diss track dressed up as an emotional outpouring.

What followed was predictable yet telling: a series of clarifying stories from Babil stating he “respected everyone” and that his intent wasn’t to target anyone. It was the classic Gen Z playbook: emotional honesty followed by a PR edit. But his moment stood out in the larger narrative of 2025: stars shedding the manicured gloss of perfection and exposing the turbulence that fame so often conceals.

Saif Ali Khan’s Stabbing and Urvashi’s Slip

In perhaps the most shocking incident of the year, Saif Ali Khan was stabbed by an intruder inside his own home. The attacker, later apprehended, had no known motive but managed to physically harm the actor before being subdued by security. Saif’s injuries were non-fatal, but the psychological aftershock reverberated through the industry.

But the episode took an absurd turn when actress Urvashi Rautela, coincidentally promoting her film Daaku Maharaj chose the moment to drop a reaction video that doubled up as a movie plug. While she offered concern, the underlying promotional tone sparked outrage. “Ma’am, not the time,” became the most repeated comment under her post. The incident underscored how tone-deaf influencer culture has bled into Bollywood’s ecosystem, where even real-life trauma becomes accidental clickbait.

Sanam Teri Kasam Sequel Turns Sour

Fans of the cult romance Sanam Teri Kasam were thrilled when whispers of a sequel began circulating. But joy turned to digital drama when Mawra Hocane responded to the whole 'Operation Sindoor' attack showcasing supoort towards her country and calling out Indians for the attack. Co-star Harshvardhan Rane responded swiftly, accusing her of PR moves, and unnecessary drama unfolded. Their spat unfolded on Instagram stories, comments, and reposts, with fans taking sides and nostalgia turning into noise. Though not as widely covered by mainstream outlets, the episode served as yet another example of how professional disagreements are now fought publicly, and often pettily, in the court of social media.

Deepika Padukone vs. Sandeep Reddy Vanga: A Spirit Lost

When Deepika Padukone walked away from Spirit, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming action drama, the reason cited was her insistence on a capped 8-hour workday, a clause she’s been vocal about as part of her advocacy for mental health and sustainable work culture. But the director, known for his volatile responses, didn’t take kindly to the exit.

Though he didn’t name her directly, Vanga dropped cryptic tweets about “leaked scripts” and “broken trust,” fueling speculation. The situation intensified when Deepika was swiftly cast in a pan-India film opposite Allu Arjun, directed by Atlee. The message was loud and clear: while one camp ranted online, the other moved on, gracefully and lucratively. For many, Deepika’s stand wasn’t just about a movie, it was about setting a new standard in an industry still grappling with overwork and toxic hierarchies.

Diljit Dosanjh and the Nationalist Crossfire

Few stars can match Diljit Dosanjh’s cool, cross-cultural appeal. But even his laidback swag was tested this year when he cast Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3. This move came at a time when the Federation of Western Indian Cultural Workers had issued yet another ban on Pakistani artists, citing national sentiment amid heightened diplomatic tensions.

The backlash was swift. Celebrities like Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Rupali Ganguly criticized Diljit for prioritizing creativity over country. Calls to drop him from Border 2 grew louder. But Diljit remained unfazed, continuing with his projects and issuing a calm statement about art transcending borders. Meanwhile, singer Mika Singh attempted to broker peace, suggesting scenes could be trimmed and apologies offered. It was a cultural tug-of-war, between nationalist fervor and artistic freedom and Diljit found himself smack in the middle, turban and all.

Bhool Chuk Maaf: From OTT to Courtroom and Back

Bhool Chuk Maaf, a romantic comedy starring Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi, unintentionally became a case study in release chaos. Initially slated for a May 9 theatrical release, the film was abruptly pulled a day before, with Maddock Films announcing a direct-to-OTT release. PVR Inox, holding exclusive theatrical rights, slapped a Rs 60 crore lawsuit for breach of contract, invoking the eight-week exclusivity clause that studios and theatre chains typically honor.

The matter snowballed into a Bombay High Court case, which ordered a halt to any digital release until the exclusivity window was respected. After back-and-forth hearings and negotiations, the film eventually returned to theatres on May 23. Ironically, this lighthearted rom-com endured more plot twists in real life than in its actual runtime. The controversy spotlighted the ongoing tug-of-war between evolving OTT dynamics and old-school distribution norms.

Bollywood’s first half of 2025 has felt less like a glamorous red carpet walk and more like a minefield. From homes turning into crime scenes to film sets becoming legal battlegrounds, from vulnerable admissions to viral accusations, this has been a season of confrontation. And yet, beneath the noise, a pattern is emerging: a shift in power, a call for accountability, and a generational demand for transparency.

Whether these controversies lead to long-term change or are simply absorbed into the industry’s ever-churning gossip mill remains to be seen. But one thing is certain, this year, Bollywood didn’t just roll the camera, it rolled with the punches. And in doing so, it might just be scripting its most honest story yet.