Bollywood filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan has landed in controversy over an alleged inappropriate remark about the Holi festival, drawing strong backlash from India’s right-wing Hindu groups.
A legal complaint has been filed against her by content creator Vikas Phatak, popularly known as ‘Hindustani Bhau,’ through his lawyer Advocate Ali Kashif Khan Deshmukh. The complaint accuses Farah Khan of referring to Holi as a “festival of slums” during a February 20 episode of the television show Celebrity MasterChef. The remark went viral on social media, sparking outrage for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
According to the complaint, Farah Khan’s statement offended not just Vikas Phatak personally but also the broader Hindu community. Advocate Deshmukh stated, “Using a term like ‘slum’ for a sacred festival is highly inappropriate and could lead to communal tension.”
A case has been registered against Farah Khan under sections 196, 299, 302, and 353 of the Indian Penal Code, which deal with religious sentiments and communal harmony.
The remark has triggered a fierce backlash on social media, with Farah Khan now facing trolling similar to Indian YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia. Many users have interpreted her comment as a caste-based insult, as the term “slum” is often used in India to demean lower-caste individuals.
As of now, Farah Khan has not issued a public clarification, but Hindu hardliners continue to criticize her over the controversy.