Viral Clip of Sitaare Zameen Par Premiere Ignites Backlash as Netizens Criticise Riteish’s Behaviour
Riteish Deshmukh, who is widely recognised as one of the most down-to-earth and funny stars in Bollywood, faced immense backlash this weekend when a video emerged from the premiere of Sitaare Zameen Par. The video, which went completely viral, displayed the actor denying a selfie request from a young fan — and it has left the internet shocked and feeling a bit let down.
The Video That Sparked The Backlash
The video, filmed outside the screening venue, depicts Riteish walking hand in hand with his wife, Genelia D’Souza with fans and paparazzi surrounding them. A young boy approaches Riteish and asks if he can click a selfie with him using his phone. Riteish brushes the phone away, moves past the boy, and does not acknowledge him.
The young boy’s sad face became a talking point, and many people expressed that it was heartbreaking. As the video spread, the criticisms started rolling in, with many questioning Riteish’s humility and compassion, specifically towards a child.
Social Media Users Share Disappointment
Thousands of social media users took to platforms to share their disappointment over Riteish’s actions, pulling up the contrast between his on-screen persona, charisma, and off-screen personality in this instance.
“First time mujhe Riteish ka attitude pasand nahi aaya.”
Others even brought up Housefull 5 — Riteish’s latest film — to poke fun at the alleged ‘celebrity airs’ he defined:
“Housefull jaisi film bana kar aaya aise attitude.”
“Masterpiece bana kar proud moment, clearly!” joked another, adding sarcasm to the backlash.
Fans Remind Riteish He Is Human
A particularly viral comment read:
“That was ridiculously rude. Your facial expressions and attitude say a lot… and not in a good way. I thought a grown man would show more self-control and maturity.”
Riteish, who’s known for his funny social media videos with Genelia and for having fostered a long-established “relatable” self-image, has yet to publicly address the backlash.
Context: What Was The Event?
The incident occurred at the premiere of Aamir Khan and Genelia D’Souza’s Sitaare Zameen Par, which opened to good reviews and a large box-office uptick over the weekend. Riteish took his wife to the screening, and although they were warmly welcomed by the paparazzi and fans at the red carpet, the young fan interaction overshadowed everything else on-screen.
In the meantime, Housefull 5 — starring Riteish alongside Akshay Kumar and Abhishek Bachchan — is now in theatres, although it also received mixed reviews from critics and the audience.
Box Office Worldwide Verdict
For a star who is known for his irrepressible charm and down-to-earth persona, this is a moment that feels like a shameful moment in time. Maybe it was a lapse in judgement; maybe it was just a fleeting moment in time, but Riteish Deshmukh’s unapologetic brush-off of a child clearly has struck a chord with fans now.
In an era of smartphones and viral moments, one second of indifference can erase years of goodwill — especially when it involves a child. While Riteish can still address, apologise, or clarify the situation, for the time being the internet is feeling very disappointed.
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