There have been some major controversies in the Film fraternity across the globe in 2022
Take a look at some of them
The Boycott Bollywood trend
As the year came to a close, Shah Rukh’s ‘Pathaan’ fell prey to the boycott and cancel culture that dominated Bollywood cinema in 2022 with people claiming that the yet to be released film’s song ‘Besharam Rang’ hurts Hindu sentiments as it shows Deepika Padukone wearing a saffron swimsuit.
Another big ticket starrer that faced boycott call was Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor’s Lal Singh Chaddha. Users on social media dug out a statement by Aamir in 2015 on intolerance in India and called for the boycott of the film.
Ranveer Singh’s nude photoshoot
Pictures that launched a thousand headlines. Ranveer Singh’s nude photoshoot for Paper magazine was embroiled in a controversy for days. While some people appreciated the actor, some accused him of obscenity hurting the sentiments of women. An FIR was also filed against the actor. However, the actor defended himself by saying that one of the photos being circulated was ‘morphed and not a part of the photoshoot.’
Sajid Khan’s participation on ‘Bigg Boss’
Salman Khan-hosted ‘Bigg Boss 16’ sparked major controversy after it welcomed #MeToo accused, filmmaker Sajid Khan as one of its contestants. In 2018, Sajid was accused of sexual harassment by several women in the industry. Many of his accusers expressed their disappointment on social media and slammed the showmakers for trying to whitewash his image. Various celebrities, including actor Ali Fazal and singer Sona Mohapatra, demanded that the filmmaker be removed from the show.
‘The Kashmir Files’ controversy
The Vivek Agnihotri directorial is one of the most debated movies of this year. Soon after its release, Anupam Kher starrer sparked a political row, with the Centre and the opposition having conflicting views about the film.
The Centre openly appreciated the film, saying that such movies ‘reveal the truth’ and many BJP-ruled states decided to make the movie tax-free in the jurisdiction. However, the opposition criticised the Centre for ‘promoting and endorsing’ the movie. Congress leader Digvijay Singh had accused the BJP of spreading hate by promoting this film.
Despite all the criticism, ‘The Kashmir Files’ became one of the highest-grossing films of 2022. It was among the 15 films screened at the competition section of the International Film Festival of India. During the closing ceremony of the festival, jury head Nadav Lapid called it a ‘vulgar,’ ‘propaganda’ film.
Soon after his comments, the cast and the crew of the film slammed him and said the film represents the truth.
Later, Lapid apologised for hurting anyone’s sentiments but stuck to his opinion about the film.
Bollywood actresses charged in Rs 200 crore extortion case
Actors Jacqueline Fernandez and Nora Fatehi grabbed headlines after they were linked with conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, who is accused of money laundering. They were questioned multiple times by the Enforcement Directorate in the Rs 200 crore extortion case and the agency revealed that the actors received several expensive gifts from Sukesh.
In August, Jacqueline was named as an accused in a supplementary charge sheet filed by ED in the case. Following which she had submitted a plea in PMLA court alleging that she was being falsely implicated by the agency while Nora, who had also received gifts from Sukesh, had been made a witness.
Days later, Nora filed a defamation suit against Jacqueline alleging she sought to criminally defame her in order to destroy her career to further her own interests, since they are both working in the same industry and have similar backgrounds, amongst other reasons.
The matter is still being probed and Jacqueline is currently on bail, while conman Sukesh is behind bars.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation trial
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's defamation trial was one of the most talked about topics this year. Depp eventually won the lawsuit he had filed against his ex-wife for defaming him in a 2018 Washington Post article, where she called herself a survivor of domestic abuse. The jury awarded Depp with $15 million in damages, while Amber was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages. Recently, Amber agreed to a legal settlement with her ex-husband and fellow actor Johnny Depp. Amber will now pay Depp $1 million over claims he physically abused her.
Will Smith slaps Chris Rock at the Oscars
This year’s Oscars made headlines after Will Smith stormed on stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock for joking about his wife who suffers from alopecia. Rock compared Jada Pinkett Smith's bald look to Demi Moore's appearance in the film ‘G.I. Jane.’ This moment triggered awkward silence at the event and Academy announced a ban on Will Smith. Later, Will Smith, who won the Best Actor Oscar for King Richard, said he’s ‘deeply remorseful’ for slapping presenter Chris Rock.
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