Bollywood movies and stars have a very huge fan following in Nepal. It won’t be wrong to say that Bollywood stars enjoy more stardom in Nepal than the Nepali stars. But there have been few instances when Bollywood stars and movies had to experience some hard times among their Nepalese fans. Some of the most controversial incidents that Bollywood had to face in Nepal have been mentioned here.

Hrithik Roshan: Hrithik Roshan was the newest heartthrobe in Bollywood and was enjoying his stardom he achieved through his debut movie ‘Kaho Na Pyar Hai’. Even though his next two movies ‘Fiza’ and ‘Mission Kashmir’ hadn’t done well at the box office, his popularity hadn’t decreased at all. He was enjoying the same popularity and love from Nepalese fans as well and the theaters were showing his latest movie ‘Mision Kashmir’ when on Dec 27th, 2000, a news was spread. He allegedly said in an interview he gave to Star Plus (TV channel) that he hated Nepal and Nepalese people. The news spread like a fire in the nation and soon the roads were filled with protestors, mostly students, who were burning his effigy, tearing apart his posters, destroying video cassettes of his movies and even attacking the theaters screening his movie. The star was shocked to hear about the incident and defended himself by saying, “I am completely baffled by this whole controversy. I have unnecessarily been dragged into this,” Roshan told the Star TV news channel. “I have never spoken against Nepal and why should I? I love the Nepalese people just as much as I love the Indian people,” he said. Even the channel confirmed that he had not stated any comment regarding Nepal in the interview. Five people had to lose their lives and more than 200 people were injured during 3 days long protest. It was suspected that there might be underworld involved in conducting such incident in order to spoil the Indo-Nepal relationship.

Madhuri Dixit: During the time when one of the most successful and loved Bollywood actresses Madhuri Dixit was at the peak of her acting career, she had to experience some hatred from her Nepalese fans. In December 1998, she had to apologize for her statement about Nepal being a part of India once.

Dharmendra: The then Superstar Dharmendra too had to face a ban over his movies in Nepal in early 1970s for his statement which hurt the sentiments of Nepalese people.

Shakti Kapoor: In December 2008, Shakti Kapoor who was shooting in Nepal for a Bhojpuri film along with Nepali actress Rekha Thapa, had to face media allegation that he misbehaved with the actress. It was reported that Rekha Thapa was very angry with such behavior of him and threatened to abandon the film but the shoot continued only after Kapoor apologized to the actress.

Komal Nahata: In December 2011, Nepalese people’s sentiments got hurt by a statement by Komal Nahata, a reporter of Zee Etc, while telling about the business of Shahrukh Khan starrer ‘Don 2’ on his show Bollywood Business: “Not to forget the Nepal territory because Nepal territory is also a part of India.” He had to later clarify about the whole incident with this note:

“Sorry, guys, to disappoint you. If you have a problem with me saying “not to forget the Nepal territory because Nepal territory is also a part of India”, please be informed that for film business purposes, the business of Nepal territory IS, IN FACT, added to the business of India (NOT Overseas, as you would believe). If you are unaware, let me inform you that deals for the Bihar territory are, technically speaking, deals for Bihar-Nepal territory. Alleging that I had ulterior motives in stating that Nepal territory is a part of India is both, childish and incorrect. ETC Bollywood Business is a show on Bollywood and whoever thinks, I would talk Geography or, for that matter, anything other than films on it, must be seriously delusional.

I respect the feelings of the Nepalese people but if they are so touchy about Nepal being treated as part of India for assessing the domestic business of films, let them take up the matter with the film industry leaders in India and Nepal. How can I be held responsible because I am stating what has been the norm for years? If the business of UK, USA, Australia and other foreign countries is included in the business of Overseas but the business of just one foreign country – Nepal – is added to the business of India for the purpose of arriving at the domestic business of films, how in the wildest of dreams can I be held responsible? It doesn’t need to be overemphasized that I was speaking in the context of the business of the film, Don 2, and not about geographical limits or territories when I was discussing the business figures of the Shahrukh starrer. Why on earth would I discuss Geography or try to change it on a TV show called ETC Bollywood Business?

Think, guys, think. Quoting someone out of context – as some of you are quoting me – is dangerous, not reporting the facts – which is what I have done on the show.”

Chandani Chawk to China: In January 2009, Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone starrer ‘Chandani Chawk to China’ was banned in Nepal after angry protests over a reference in it to India being Lord Buddha’s birthplace when actually Buddha, founder of Buddhism, was born in Lumbini, about 171 km southwest of Kathmandu.

Gharwali Baharwali: David Dhawan’s 1998 comedy film Gharwali Baharwali starring Anil Kapoor, Raveena Tandon and Rambha triggered outrage and public protests for showing incorrect and baseless Nepalese cultures and traditions in the film.

Karma: There were protests in Nepal in 1986 over Subhash Ghai’s film Karma starring the superstar Deelip Kumar as the film showed a map in which Nepal was depicted as part of India.

Bollywood stars and movies are loved in Nepal almost as much as in India and there are and have been many Nepalese artists who have been contributing in the Bollywood films. Nepalese people are very sensitive about their nationality and pride; and it would be appereciated by them if Bollywood does respect their sentiments.

Comment below if there have been any other controversies as well which have not been mentioned above and feel free to share your views.