Varun Dhawan Claims the Act of Lifting Gigi Hadid at NMACC Was Prearranged

Bollywood star Varun Dhawan recently faced criticism from some social media users who accused him of lifting supermodel Gigi Hadid without her consent during the inaugural function of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai. However, the actor defended his actions, saying that the gesture was pre-planned and that people should focus their energy on more important issues.

In videos that went viral on social media, Dhawan can be seen helping Hadid walk on stage before lifting her up in his arms. The model seemed surprised at first but then joined in the act as the actor spun her around and even gave her a peck on the cheek. Some Twitter users accused Dhawan of behaving inappropriately and violating Hadid’s consent. In response, the actor took to social media to clarify that the act was a pre-arranged part of the show.

Dhawan addressed the backlash in a tweet, saying, “I guess today you woke up and decided to be woke. So lemme burst ur bubble and tell u it was planned for her to be on stage so find a new Twitter cause to vent about rather then going out and doing something about things. Good morning.” He also shared a screenshot of a message from someone who defended him and called out the “cancel culture” prevalent on social media.

Hadid also responded to the controversy by taking to Instagram and thanking Dhawan for making her Bollywood dreams come true. She shared a video of the act and tagged the actor in the caption.

The NMACC, located within the Jio World Centre at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai, was inaugurated on Friday, and the fashion showcase was launched on the second day of the opening gala on Saturday. The event was attended by several high-profile personalities, including celebrities and politicians.

The incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding consent and the importance of respecting personal boundaries, especially in the entertainment industry. While some argue that the act was harmless and pre-planned, others criticize the normalization of such behavior and the perpetuation of gender stereotypes. Ultimately, it is up to individuals to educate themselves on issues of consent and to ensure that their actions do not harm or offend others.