Ram Gopal Varma compares bombings in Gaza to bursting firecrackers during Diwali; faces massive backlash

Ram Gopal Varma latest tweet on Gaza saprks buzz

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, known as much for his provocative statements as for his films, has landed in yet another controversy, this time over a Diwali post that social media users have slammed as “heartless” and “deeply insensitive.”

On October 20, 2025, while India celebrated Diwali, RGV took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “In INDIA only one day is DIWALI and in GAZA, every day is DIWALI,” followed by three fire emojis. Within hours, the post went viral, amassing millions of views and triggering widespread outrage online.

The filmmaker’s attempt at dark humour did not sit well with netizens. Many accused him of mocking human suffering amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.'

In INDIA only one day is DIWALI and in GAZA, every day is DIWALI

— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) October 20, 2025

Comedian Sundeep Bhardwaj criticised the tweet with biting sarcasm, saying, “I am sure he would consider India's 200 years of colonisation by the British also as 200 years of Diwali... I think this guy is just jealous — like we also want to kill innocent people. Why does Israel get to do it every day? Very funny Sir. You are the funniest ch###a in the world.”

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A post shared by Sundeep Bhardwaj (@thesundeep)

Social media users echoed similar sentiments. One commented, “You don’t even know the difference between celebration and devastation.”

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Another wrote, “You’re a disgusting human being. Making fun of genocide doesn’t make you powerful, it shows who you are — a repulsive filthy rat.”

A more restrained user urged empathy, stating, “Gaza doesn’t need your dark humour. They need humanity. There’s nothing festive about war.”

This is not the first time RGV has been criticised for his social media behaviour.

In September 2025, he stirred outrage on Teachers’ Day after listing his “inspirations”, a mix of icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Steven Spielberg, and Sridevi, alongside underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. The post was widely condemned as “tone-deaf.”

Amid the controversy, RGV seems focused on his next venture. He recently reunited with Manoj Bajpayee after 27 years for a horror comedy titled Police Station Mein Bhoot, also starring Genelia D’Souza.