Washington, D.C. — Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria has sparked a major controversy by criticizing Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan for his recent performance in the United States. Kaneria, in a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), alleged that Hrithik performed at an event associated with blacklisted Khalistani figures, where beef was served and Hindu deities were allegedly disrespected—coinciding with the sacred Hindu festival of Ram Navami.
Kaneria’s comments have intensified scrutiny on the event, dubbed Rangotsav, held in Houston, which drew thousands of attendees. He also issued a cautionary note regarding singer Shaan, who is reportedly scheduled to perform with the same group next month.
“He performed alongside extremists and Khalistanis blacklisted by the Indian Government. A beef party was held, and Hindu deities were blatantly disrespected. Singer Shaan is scheduled to perform with the same group next month. I urge the @HMOIndia to take strict action”, Kaneria posted.
A devout Hindu and an ethnic Gujarati, Kaneria remains one of the few Hindu players to represent Pakistan at the international level, making his comments especially resonant across both Indian and Pakistani communities.
Beef, Alcohol, and Bhajans: Ram Navami Event Sparks Outrage
The backlash against Hrithik intensified after videos and photos from the event surfaced online. Columnist Vivek Bansal, in a post dated April 10, shared visuals from the venue where beef samosas were listed on the menu and alcohol was openly available. In stark contrast, the event also featured Hindu devotional songs and bhajans dedicated to Lord Ram, creating an atmosphere that many labeled “disrespectful.”
“It is nothing short of outrageous that on the sacred occasion of Sri Ram Navami, Hrithik Roshan’s shows in the U.S. reportedly featured liquor-fueled gatherings and even a beef party—disgracefully masked as Holi celebrations”, Bansal wrote.
The Rangotsav event, initially promoted as a festive celebration of Indian culture and Holi, now finds itself at the center of controversy, with many accusing the organizers of insensitivity and poor judgment.
Fans Disappointed by Poor Event Management
Even before the religious and cultural backlash, Hrithik’s US tour had drawn criticism for what attendees described as poorly managed meet-and-greets. Several fans who reportedly paid over ₹1.2 lakh (approx. $1,500) for premium experiences with the actor claimed they were unable to get promised photos or interactions, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
While Hrithik Roshan has yet to publicly address the allegations, the controversy is gaining traction across media and social platforms, especially amid heightened sensitivities around religious respect and diaspora engagement.
As calls grow for the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate, the spotlight remains on Hrithik Roshan and the event organizers for accountability and clarification.
