Actor Rakesh Bedi has finally spoken out after facing intense online criticism over a viral video linked to Dhurandhar. The clip, which surfaced from the film’s trailer launch event, showed Bedi greeting his co-star Sara Arjun by kissing her shoulder. Sara (20) plays his onscreen daughter in the movie.
The moment sparked outrage on social media, with several users claiming the actress looked uncomfortable and deliberately moved away to stand with others.
As the video spread rapidly, the backlash grew louder. Many questioned the appropriateness of the gesture. Now, Bedi has himself addressed the controversy and shared his side of the story.
Rakesh Bedi On ‘Kiss’ Controversy
Breaking his silence in an interview with Hindustan Times, the veteran actor made it clear that the incident has been misunderstood.
He said, “Sara is less than half my age and plays my daughter. Whenever we met during the shoot, she would greet me with a hug, just as a daughter would with her father. We share a nice rapport and camaraderie, which is also reflected on screen.”
Bedi stressed that the greeting at the event was no different from how they interacted throughout the shoot. However, he believes people chose to view it negatively.
He added, “It was no different that day, but people are not seeing the affection there. The affection of an elderly man towards a young girl. Dekhne wale ki aankh mein gadbad hai to kya kar sakte ho (What can you do when people perceive it wrongly)?”
Dhurandhar actor also questioned the logic behind the outrage. He pointed out that the moment happened on a public stage and in the presence of Sara Arjun’s parents. According to him, there was no scope for ill intent, and the controversy is a result of social media exaggeration. He said such moments are often taken out of context and blown up unnecessarily online.
Clarifying further, Bedi insisted that he is not trying to protect his image but is simply stating facts. He concluded, “I tell you, I am not safeguarding myself. My voluminous body of work, which has touched people, is doing it for me. I recently went to a dinner with friends, and a lady approached me. Her son is physically and mentally challenged, but he loves my work and can comprehend it. That speaks more for me than anything will.”
About Dhurandhar And Its Box Office Success
While the controversy continues to divide opinions online, Dhurandhar itself remains unstoppable at the box office. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film released on December 5, 2025, and has already crossed Rs 700 crore worldwide in just two weeks. The film’s second-week earnings reportedly surpassed its opening week, a rare achievement in recent Hindi cinema. Trade analysts credit strong word-of-mouth, patriotic themes, and audience engagement for its sustained run. It also became the first Hindi film to earn over Rs 200 crore in its second week alone.
Dhurandhar is a gritty espionage thriller inspired by real-world geopolitical events such as the 1999 IC-814 hijacking and the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The story follows a covert Indian intelligence mission, loosely modelled on the operations of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. A young Punjabi man is recruited and trained to become an undercover agent tasked with infiltrating Karachi’s Lyari gang to dismantle a dangerous terrorist-mafia network.
Told across eight chapters, the film ends on a cliffhanger, setting up Dhurandhar Part 2 – Revenge, slated for release on March 19, 2026.
The film stars Ranveer Singh in the lead role as Hamza Ali Mazari, also known as Jaskirat Singh Rangi. Akshaye Khanna plays the antagonist Rehman Dakait, while R Madhavan appears as spymaster Ajay Sanyal. The ensemble cast also includes Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Rakesh Bedi, Saumya Tandon, Naveen Kaushik and Sara Arjun.
