Article:
Bollywood veteran actor Rakhee Deshpande has finally broken his silence on the controversy surrounding his on-stage interaction with co-star Sara Ali Khan at the trailer launch of the film Dheerendra. The senior actor has termed the criticism on social media as “baseless and factually incorrect.” In a recent interview with the media, Deshpande, 71, stated that his relationship with Sara has always been respectful and familial throughout their working relationship. He emphasized that Sara is much younger than him and plays his daughter in the film, and during the shoot, she would often greet him like a daughter. Deshpande asserted that their on-screen relationship is genuine and reflected on-screen, and the recent incident was not out of place on the set.
The controversy emerged when a video of Deshpande kissing Sara on the shoulder during the trailer launch went viral on social media. Sara plays the role of Deshpande’s daughter in the film. Deshpande clarified that Sara’s parents were present at the event, and he would not engage in any unsavory behavior on a public platform.
The senior actor attributed the controversy to people’s tendency to create unnecessary issues on social media. He pointed out that his work speaks for itself, and his long and distinguished career is a testament to his professionalism. Deshpande’s comments come as a response to the criticism he received on social media for his on-stage interaction with Sara.
Meanwhile, Pakistani actor Afzal Khan, also known as Rambo, expressed his thoughts on the cold response of Karachi audiences to the incident. Khan, who moved to Karachi last year for work, stated that the city lacks the social gathering and communal spirit that is prevalent in Lahore.
In other news, British royal Meghan Markle and actress Misha Shafi announced a collaboration on Shafi’s latest song “Sachi Loki” with Indian singer Taloinder. However, the incident has sparked a debate on the misuse of cinema, which transcends national borders, according to actor Imran Abbas. The controversy surrounding the incident has overshadowed other news stories, including the recent sentencing of PTI leaders Imran Khan and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to 7 years in prison under the PPC section 409.
