‘Saiyaara’ actress Aneet Padda faces backlash over viral video, accused of hurting Muslim sentiments; here's the truth

Aneet Padda faces backlash over viral video

Actor Aneet Padda, who recently rose to fame with the hit film Saiyaara alongside Ahaan Panday, has found herself in controversy after an old video resurfaced online.

The clip, reportedly from the sets of Big Girls Don’t Cry, shows Aneet Padda singing the famous Urdu poem “Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua” in a melodic, almost playful tone — and dancing along as she does it.

What seemed like an innocent moment from behind the scenes has now triggered a heated debate across social media.

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Divided Reactions: Criticism and Defense

While some social media users accused Aneet Padda of ‘disrespecting’ the Islamic prayer, others stepped in to defend her, calling the outrage misplaced.

One angry user commented, “Duniya mein gaane kam padh rahe the kya jo naat pe naach gaa rahe ho?” Another wrote, “Shame on her.”

But the tide wasn’t all negative. A fan account quickly clarified the context, saying, “She is not making fun of Muslim naat. What @aneetpadda_ is reciting is Iqbal’s ‘Bache Ki Dua,’ a poetic prayer taught in schools.” Another user added, “This is just poetry, not mockery. People are overreacting.”

Some even pointed out how Aneet Padda appeared genuinely moved while singing the lines, arguing that intent mattered more than delivery.

A Promising Career Now in Controversy

Prior to Saiyaara, Aneet Padda made her Bollywood debut in 2022 in the Revathi-directed film Salaam Venky, which starred Kajol. Even though she didn't spend much time on screen, her performance was noteworthy. She later established herself as one of the most promising up-and-coming actors in the business with her performance as Roohi Ahuja in the 2024 Amazon Prime series Big Girls Don't Cry.

The focus has somewhat shifted from her career to her behaviour due to the most recent controversy. Regarding the viral video, Aneet Padda has not yet made a public statement.

However, her supporters are still using trending hashtags to encourage everyone to watch the video "in the right spirit."

It remains to be seen if this moment passes quickly or if it leads to a larger discussion about pop culture's conflict between sensitivity and intent.

Also read: SS Rajamouli turns 52: Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR and Ram Charan shower birthday wishes on visionary filmmaker

FAQs

Q1: Why is Aneet Padda being criticized online?
A: Aneet Padda is facing backlash after an old video of her singing “Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua” went viral, with some users accusing her of hurting Muslim sentiments.

Q2: What are fans saying in defense of Aneet Padda?
A: Fans argue she was merely singing a well-known Urdu poem, not mocking any religious recitation, and that the clip is being misinterpreted.

Q3: What are Aneet Padda’s upcoming projects?
A: Aneet Padda was last seen in Saiyaara and Big Girls Don’t Cry, and is reportedly in talks for her next film, though details remain under wraps.