Dhurandhar actor Rakesh Bedi on facing backlash after kissing Sara Arjun: "Dekhne wale ki aankh mein gadbad hai to kya kar sakte ho.."

Dhurandhar actor Rakesh Bedi on facing backlash after kissing Sara Arjun: "Dekhne wale ki aankh mein gadbad hai to kya kar sakte ho.."

Dhurandhar actor Rakesh Bedi has finally addressed the social media backlash surrounding his interaction with co-star Sara Arjun at the film’s trailer launch, calling the criticism ‘so stupid’ and a clear case of misplaced perception. Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar has emerged as a historic box office juggernaut, crossing Rs 700 crore in global collections within just two weeks of its release.

The film’s success has largely been credited to its ensemble cast, featuring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, and R Madhavan in powerful roles.

Veteran actor Rakesh Bedi has also received widespread praise for his performance as Pakistani politician Jameel Jamali, a character that marks a significant departure from the comic roles he is best known for.

However, amid the film’s roaring success, Rakesh Bedi found himself at the centre of an online controversy.

A short clip from the Dhurandhar trailer launch went viral, with some netizens alleging that the 71-year-old actor kissed his on-screen daughter, Sara Arjun, while greeting her on stage. The moment sparked criticism and uncomfortable commentary on social media platforms.

Sara Arjun, who has been a popular child artiste in films and advertisements, makes her debut as a leading lady in Dhurandhar opposite Ranveer Singh.

In the film, she plays Yalina Jamali, the daughter of Rakesh Bedi’s character. Addressing the backlash in an interview with Hindustan Times, Rakesh Bedi did not mince words.

“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,” he said. Explaining the incident at the trailer launch, the actor 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?”

Rakesh Bedi also pointed out that Sara’s parents were present during the event, questioning the logic behind the allegations.

“Why would I kiss her with ill intent publicly on a stage? I mean, her parents were there,” he said. “People are just crazy when they claim these things. They just need to create an issue out of nothing on social media.”

Sara Arjun is the daughter of actor Raj Arjun and classical dancer Sanya Arjun, both of whom were reportedly in attendance at the launch. Bedi stressed that the outrage was disconnected from reality and driven purely by online sensationalism.

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The incident has once again reignited discussions around how brief public moments are often stripped of context and magnified on social media, especially when they involve age gaps or sensitive relationships portrayed on screen. Bedi’s firm response highlights the emotional cost such controversies can carry, even for seasoned actors.

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar continues its strong run at the box office and shows no signs of slowing down. Riding on its success, the makers have already announced Dhurandhar Part 2: Revenge, slated for release on March 19, 2026, just three months after the first film hit theatres on December 5.

The sequel is set to face stiff competition, clashing with Yash’s pan-India gangster drama Toxic and the Adivi Sesh–Mrunal Thakur starrer Dacoit. Despite the crowded release window, expectations remain high, given the massive response to the first installment and the buzz surrounding its expanding cinematic universe.