Popular Bollywood actor and director Ajay Devgn has found himself at the center of a social media storm in India after old photographs of him with former Pakistani cricket star Shahid Afridi resurfaced online. The images, which have gone viral, have triggered strong reactions from Indian users who questioned Devgn’s association with a Pakistani celebrity.

The photos, originally taken during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2024, have recently resurfaced and are being circulated as if they were taken in the present day. The renewed circulation of the images comes amid heightened tensions following the cancellation of a much-anticipated Pakistan vs India match in a recent cricket tournament, further fueling controversy.

Misleading Context

Many social media users, unaware of the images’ origin, assumed that the meeting between Devgn and Afridi took place recently. This misunderstanding has led to a barrage of criticism directed at Ajay Devgn, with users accusing him of being “unpatriotic” or “disloyal” for interacting with a Pakistani cricketer, especially during a time when relations between the two countries are strained — both politically and in the sporting arena.

Some accounts went as far as demanding clarification from the actor, while others began questioning his patriotism, a recurring theme in Bollywood whenever any public figure is seen interacting with Pakistani personalities.

The Real Story Behind the Photos

Contrary to viral claims, these photographs were not taken recently. They are from mid-2024 during the World Championship of Legends (WCL), a friendly veteran cricket league where former legends from various cricketing nations came together to compete in a sporting event designed to foster camaraderie and goodwill through the game of cricket. Shahid Afridi participated as a member of the Pakistan Legends team, while Ajay Devgn attended as a guest and supporter of the event due to his interest in sports and past associations with celebrity cricket leagues.

Event organizers have since confirmed that Ajay Devgn’s appearance was purely in the context of promoting the WCL, and he briefly interacted with several cricket stars, including Afridi, during a meet-and-greet session. The images now going viral were part of official event coverage at the time.

Social Media Reaction

Despite the clarification, the backlash continues to grow. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, users have been sharing the images along with angry remarks. Some have even called for boycotts of Devgn’s upcoming films, using hashtags like #BoycottAjayDevgn and #ShahidAfridiControversy.

However, a significant portion of the public and fan base has also come out in Devgn’s defense. Many netizens have pointed out the hypocrisy of dragging celebrities into diplomatic matters, emphasizing that the actor did not violate any law or express any political sentiment in meeting with Afridi. They have urged others to refrain from hate speech and maintain focus on the fact that the interaction was part of a friendly international sports event, not a political statement.

Bollywood’s Tightrope Walk

This is not the first time a Bollywood personality has come under fire for being seen with Pakistani celebrities. In the past, actors like Salman Khan, Karan Johar, and Mahesh Bhatt have faced similar backlash for collaborating with or speaking positively about Pakistani artists. With increasing political polarization and heightened nationalist sentiment online, Bollywood celebrities often have to navigate public perception very carefully, especially when it comes to cross-border interactions.

The Bigger Picture

The uproar over Ajay Devgn’s old photos with Shahid Afridi also reflects the current fragile relationship between India and Pakistan, particularly in the realm of cricket. The cancellation of the recent India vs Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends tournament has already created a tense atmosphere, and anything remotely suggesting camaraderie between the two nations is being scrutinized intensely by netizens.

The Indian Cricket Board’s decision to not play the match against Pakistan was itself controversial and widely debated in sporting circles. That tension now seems to have spilled over into the entertainment industry, with celebrities like Ajay Devgn unintentionally caught in the crossfire.

Conclusion

In the end, the incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly public narratives can be shaped — or distorted — by viral content and misleading information. A simple, friendly interaction between two public figures at a sporting event has been blown out of proportion, fueled by existing political and social tensions.

Ajay Devgn has not officially responded to the controversy as of yet. However, those close to him suggest that he is unlikely to comment, viewing the issue as baseless and rooted in misinformation. Meanwhile, the photographs, though old, continue to make rounds online, stirring debates not only about celebrity conduct but also about the broader state of India-Pakistan relations in the world of sports and entertainment.