- Tuesday, April 29, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Kareena Kapoor Khan is facing a wave of online criticism following the circulation of her recent photo in Dubai with Pakistani designer Faraz Manan—an appearance that many feel is ill-timed given the national mourning after the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir.
The attack, which occurred on April 22 in the Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, claimed 26 innocent lives and was swiftly claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. The tragedy prompted an outpouring of grief from across India and the globe. Kareena, too, joined in mourning, posting a heartfelt message on Instagram: “Beyond heartbroken for the victims and their families. Praying for the lives lost #Pahalgam”.
While India is at war with Pakistan, Kareena Kapoor Khan is busy doing a photoshoot in Dubai with Pakistani designer Faraz Manan. She has collaborated with him multiple times in the past as well.
Last year, Kareena voiced her support for Palestine, but now she seems unable to… pic.twitter.com/2EsoDHEpvU
— STAR Boy TARUN (@Starboy2079) April 28, 2025
However, what started as an expression of solidarity has since turned controversial. On April 27, Kareena was spotted at Mumbai airport heading to Dubai, a trip that has now attracted unwanted attention due to a viral image from her meeting with Faraz Manan—a popular Pakistani designer and longtime friend. The duo was photographed together in Dubai, and the timing of the photo’s emergence has left many social media users upset, calling the act insensitive.
Faraz Manan has been a frequent collaborator of Kareena’s, and their association spans several years. In past interviews, the designer has spoken fondly of his ties with both Kareena and her sister Karisma Kapoor, describing their similar sense of style and long-standing personal bond.
Yet, the public’s anger isn’t about their friendship—it’s about the moment. With the nation still reeling from the bloodshed in Kashmir, many felt Kareena’s public association with a Pakistani personality, no matter how longstanding, was inappropriate. Online comments ranged from accusatory to outright hostile: “Fame is everything for her; country doesn’t feature anywhere,” said one. Others wrote, “Bollywood cares only about money and fame,” and, “Once you’re a Khan, you can’t go back to being Kapoor.”
Several users also implied that celebrities like Kareena were disconnected from national sentiment, accusing them of being tone-deaf during times of grief. Many referenced her marriage into the Khan family and interpreted her public moves as disrespectful to the national mood.
It’s a challenging situation for a star like Kareena, whose life is constantly under public scrutiny. Her decades-long association with Faraz Manan is well-documented, but the unfortunate timing of this viral image has led to a narrative shift from glamour to insensitivity.
While neither Kareena nor her team has issued a statement addressing the backlash, the incident highlights the increasingly thin line Bollywood celebrities must walk between personal connections and national sentiments, especially in sensitive times like these.
