Dhruv Rathee Viral Video: Content creator and political commentator Dhruv Rathee is once again at the centre of an online storm. This time, the debate is not about politics or films alone. It is about Bollywood beauty standards and actor Deepika Padukone. In his latest viral video, Rathee has spoken about skin-lightening treatments and named several actresses, including Deepika. The clip has since gone viral and triggered a strong reaction on social media.
The controversy comes shortly after Rathee criticised Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar. With Deepika now being mentioned in his new video, many users believe the actor has been unfairly dragged into the discussion. Fans have rallied behind her and accused Rathee of targeting her deliberately.
Dhruv Rathee Viral Video: Here’s What He Said
In the video titled The FAKE Beauty of Bollywood Celebrities, Dhruv Rathee spoke about changing beauty standards in the film industry. He named actresses such as Bipasha Basu, Deepika Padukone, Shilpa Shetty, Kajol, and Priyanka Chopra. According to him, many actresses who appeared darker early in their careers now look much fairer.
Dhruv suggested that skincare routines or reduced sun exposure are not the real reasons behind this change. He claimed that glutathione injections are the actual factor responsible for skin lightening in the industry. In the video, he said, “Ek badi lambi list hai yahan par actresses ki jinka career ke shuruwat mein rang thodha dark dikhai deta tha lekin aajkal kaafi light dikhai deta hai… Jab inse pucha jaata hai ke aisa kaise hogaya yeh bolti hai ke phele yeh dhoop mein zyada rehti thi ab nahi rehti isliye dheere dheere inka rang saaf hua hai… By the way, inmein se kuch actresses skin whitening cream ki ad karti hai… Fair skin ka raaz na toh koi cream hai na koi dhoop se bachna, reality hai glutathione injections jo skin lightening ka popular tarika hai.”
Rathee uploaded the video on YouTube on Thursday. Soon after, clips and screenshots started circulating on Reddit and other platforms.
Deepika Padukone Fans Hit Back Online
As the video spread, Deepika Padukone’s fans were quick to respond. Many users defended the actor on Reddit and questioned Rathee’s claims. Several comments pointed out that lighting, makeup and post-production editing can drastically change how an actor looks on screen.
Some fans argued that Deepika never had an extremely dark complexion. According to them, she always had a medium skin tone. They also noted that in the early 2000s, tanning and bronzer were popular fashion trends. This, they said, could explain why she looked darker in some earlier appearances.
Others felt Rathee was comparing extreme images to support his argument. Many highlighted that better cameras, advanced lighting setups, and high-end makeup techniques now make actors appear more polished. A few users also pointed out that in candid airport photos, Deepika’s complexion looks similar to Ranveer Singh’s, who is often described as dusky.
Some fans went a step further and said Rathee had chosen an easy and high-profile target. They argued that an actor’s appearance is a personal matter and should not be judged publicly. Several users called the criticism unnecessary and harsh, stressing that women should be free to make choices without constant scrutiny.
This is not the first time Dhruv Rathee has faced backlash in recent weeks. Earlier, his comments on Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, also upset fans. He had accused the film of being propaganda-driven, which led to strong reactions online.
