Bollywood’s Most Viral Controversies of 2024 That Had Everyone Talking

2024 was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for Bollywood. From explosive legal battles to cringe-worthy revelations and social media wars, the year proved once again that Bollywood drama extends far beyond the big screen. Whether it was actors landing in trouble, feuds escalating into full-blown media storms, or bizarre publicity stunts, these controversies lit up headlines, flooded timelines, and had us all furiously scrolling for updates. Here’s a detailed roundup of the juiciest scandals that made Bollywood the talk of the town in 2024.

1. Nayanthara vs. Dhanush: A Feud That Got Way Too Personal

Nayanthara dropped a bombshell when she publicly accused actor Dhanush of holding a “personal grudge”. It all began when Dhanush allegedly refused to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the use of songs from their 2014 film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in Nayanthara’s much-hyped Netflix documentary Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale. Fans thought it was a minor creative hiccup—until Dhanush retaliated with a ₹10 crore lawsuit, accusing Nayanthara and her husband, Vignesh Shivan, of using the film’s footage without permission.

What followed was a social media war of epic proportions. Nayanthara’s supporters slammed Dhanush for being petty, while Dhanush’s fans claimed Nayanthara was playing the victim. Memes flooded Twitter, with hashtags like #TeamNayanthara and #JusticeForDhanush trending for days. The controversy spiraled into debates about artistic ownership, professionalism, and the messy mix of personal and professional relationships in Bollywood.

2. Ranbir Kapoor’s “Creepy” Revelation About Alia Bhatt

Ranbir Kapoor found himself in hot water after sharing an anecdote that he probably should’ve kept to himself. In an interview, Ranbir revealed that he first met Alia Bhatt when she was nine years old and he was twenty, during a photoshoot. He framed it as a cute “destiny moment,” but social media wasn’t having it. Many called the story “unnecessary,” “cringe,” and, yes, downright creepy.

Gen Z netizens turned it into a viral meme fest, with TikTokers posting their shocked reactions and threads questioning why Bollywood continues to romanticize such stories. While some of Ranbir’s fans defended him, others pointed out that stars need to read the room better in 2024. The incident sparked wider discussions about age gaps, Bollywood narratives, and what stories need to stay behind closed doors.

3. Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Divorce Rumors Take Over

Rumors of trouble in paradise for Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan hit headlines after the two began appearing solo at high-profile events. Social media, always quick to jump to conclusions, exploded with theories of a divorce, and things escalated when whispers of Abhishek’s alleged “link-up” with Dasvi co-star Nimrat Kaur started doing the rounds.

Nimrat later broke her silence, shutting down the speculation as “baseless gossip” and saying, “I have nothing to do with anyone’s imagination.” Abhishek, however, tackled the rumors with his signature humor, saying, “Still married, sorry.” The couple soon made joint public appearances, quelling the storm, but the internet couldn’t get enough. For weeks, memes and posts debated their relationship, proving that even Bollywood’s strongest couples are never far from the gossip mill.

4. Divya Khosla Kumar vs. Alia Bhatt: Jigra Faces Plagiarism Heat

Alia Bhatt’s October release Jigra turned controversial when filmmaker Divya Khosla Kumar accused the film of being “eerily similar” to her earlier project Savi. Divya didn’t hold back—she shared empty theater photos on her Instagram stories and accused Alia of manipulating box office numbers to create a fake success narrative.

Her hashtags #TruthOverLies and #FakeCollections sparked intense debates online. While Divya’s supporters called out Bollywood’s questionable practices, Alia’s fans defended the star, claiming the controversy was a mere publicity stunt. Alia, in her usual style, chose silence, letting the film’s buzz speak for itself. But for the rest of us? This feud was too juicy to ignore.

5. Poonam Pandey’s Fake Death Stunt That Crossed All Lines

In February 2024, Poonam Pandey shocked her followers with an Instagram post claiming that she had passed away from cervical cancer. Fans and celebrities poured out tributes, mourning her sudden “death”—until Poonam revealed it was all a publicity stunt to raise awareness for cervical cancer.

Cue the outrage. The internet exploded with anger, slamming her for being insensitive and trivializing a serious issue. While Poonam issued an apology, saying she wanted to highlight women’s health, most people weren’t buying it. Memes calling it the “worst PR stunt of the decade” dominated Twitter, and the controversy served as a reminder that some lines in Bollywood publicity should never be crossed.

6. AR Rahman and Mohini Dey: Link-Up Rumors Spiral Out of Control

When AR Rahman announced his separation from his wife Saira Banu after 29 years, social media trolls quickly pointed fingers at bassist Mohini Dey. Coincidentally, Mohini had also revealed her separation that same day, leading to baseless rumors of an affair.

Mohini eventually addressed the controversy, calling Rahman a “father figure” and slamming trolls for dragging her into the mess. The situation became a prime example of how the internet often crosses boundaries, especially when women get unfairly targeted. Fans praised Mohini for speaking up, while others called for an end to Bollywood’s toxic gossip culture.

7. Salman Khan’s Death Threats From Lawrence Bishnoi

Salman Khan’s long-standing feud with jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi escalated yet again this year. Bishnoi, who considers the blackbuck sacred, renewed his threats of revenge for the 1998 poaching case. This led to beefed-up security for Salman, who has faced multiple similar threats over the years.

The incident reignited debates about celebrity safety and accountability, with some fans rallying around Salman using #StayStrongSalman. Others questioned why a decades-old controversy continues to haunt Bollywood’s “Bhai.” While Salman chose to stay mum, the internet kept the conversation alive.

8. Mukesh Ambani’s Wedding: Too Much Glitz or Pure Celebration?

Mukesh Ambani’s son, Anant Ambani, and Radhika Merchant’s wedding became a full-blown Bollywood event. Think Shah Rukh Khan dancing, Deepika Padukone dazzling, and Ranveer Singh hyping the crowd—basically, India’s version of the Met Gala.

However, the celebration wasn’t without backlash. Critics called out the “insane opulence”, especially in a country with stark economic inequality. Hashtags like #WealthGap and #AmbaniWedding trended as debates raged about privilege and excess. Still, the wedding managed to break the internet, and love it or hate it, everyone was watching.

9. Arshad Warsi’s “Joker” Comment on Prabhas

Arshad Warsi found himself under fire when he referred to Prabhas’ character in Kalki 2898 AD as a “joker” during an interview. What started as a casual comment quickly spiraled out of control, as South Indian fans lashed out, accusing Warsi of disrespecting one of their biggest stars.

South superstar Nani chimed in, dismissing Warsi’s remark as an “attention-seeking stunt”. While Arshad later clarified his comment was about the character’s styling, the damage was done. The controversy reignited the North vs. South film industry debate, reminding Bollywood to tread carefully when commenting on its southern counterparts.

10. Bollywood Called Out for Mocking Disabilities

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court took Bollywood to task for its insensitive portrayals of disabilities. Films like Aankh Micholi faced backlash for using derogatory humor, and activist Nipun Malhotra filed a petition demanding stricter guidelines.

The court ruled in favor of the petition, banning harmful stereotypes and urging filmmakers to adopt respectful representations of disabled individuals. Disability rights activists celebrated the decision, calling it a step toward inclusivity. The controversy sparked overdue conversations about Bollywood’s portrayal of marginalized communities.

2024: Bollywood’s Year of Unfiltered Chaos

From petty feuds to larger societal debates, 2024 reminded us that Bollywood drama doesn’t just belong on-screen. With every controversy amplified by social media, no star, film, or stunt escaped the spotlight. Whether you loved it, trolled it, or just couldn’t stop watching—Bollywood’s chaos will always keep us coming back for more. Here’s to another year of scandals, memes, and moments we’ll talk about for years to come.