The controversy over actor Shivaji’s remarks at the Dhandoraa pre-release event continues to spark strong reactions. His comments on women’s dressing sense drew widespread criticism, and the Women’s Commission even issued a notice against him. Several female directors, producers, and actors condemned his statements through their associations, while many celebrities voiced displeasure on social media, keeping the issue in the spotlight.
During today’s press meet, Shivaji apologised for his choice of words and expressed regret over the discomfort caused by his comments. While clarifying his stance, he referred to the Lulu Mall incident involving actress Nidhhi Agerwal, stating that if anything had gone wrong with her dress during the event, the video could have circulated online, causing embarrassment and trouble for her. He said this concern led him to make such remarks.
In reality, Nidhhi Agerwal was the victim of the incident, facing severe trouble due to unexpected crowd pressure. Many feel that Shivaji’s reference to a hypothetical situation about her clothing unfairly shifts some blame onto the victim. Indirectly responding on Instagram, Nidhhi posted a status suggesting that blaming victims is unfair and misleading. Though she did not name anyone, the message was widely interpreted as a response to Shivaji.
Earlier, Nidhhi had chosen not to file a case over the Lulu Mall incident, hoping the matter would settle quietly. However, Shivaji’s latest explanation has reignited the controversy, making it a hot topic once again on social media. While the impact on Dhandoraa promotions remains to be seen, the issue shows no signs of dying down soon.
