Farah Khan slammed for calling Holi a 'chhapri festival'
What's the story
Bollywood director-choreographer Farah Khan recently faced backlash for a controversial remark on the popular cooking reality show Celebrity MasterChef.
While speaking with contestant Gaurav Khanna, Khan said Holi is the "favorite" festival of "chhapris," a slang term often used to describe rowdy young individuals.
The statement has since gone viral, triggering a debate on social media platforms.
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Check out what people are saying
Holy achha hi tyohaar thha aur hai..lekin aap bollybood valo ne chhapari dikhay hai..dosh aap gutterwood valo ka hai..lekin ham to sahi se mana rahe hai holi..aap k dimaag mai hi gandagi bhari padi hai.. MR.Farah khan
— k2B2 (@k2B23) February 20, 2025
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'Movies only portray Holi poorly'
Aur yehi chize ye movie mein dikhate hain | kahi movies mein tumhe dekhne ko milega ki holi ke din ladkiyo ko molest karte hain rang lagane ke bahane aur farah khan ne unintentionally nahi bola jaanbhchkar bola hai. Main hoo na mein isne apne thought dikhaye hinduo ke baare mein. https://t.co/hJn8elB9x6pic.twitter.com/xbYKhDAoCW
— MovieBuff Family (@MFamily57360) February 19, 2025
Public reaction
Social media users demanded apology from Khan
After clips of Khan's remark went viral, social media has been flooded with criticism. Many have slammed her for making such a sweeping statement and are demanding an apology.
Some have even called for action against her for this controversial comment.
Despite the outrage, a section of netizens defended Khan, saying her remark isn't entirely baseless considering the many reports of unruly behavior during Holi celebrations across India.
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Netizens think Farah should apologize
Hey farah, do you know it was the favourite festival of The Legendry Raj Kapoor and do you know how many Holi parties are hosted by bollywood people and who all go there ?
— sushil somani (@sushilsomani3) February 19, 2025
How many songs on holi and above it, krishna and radha played Holi, it was their favourite too.
Public debate
'Even SRK is a 'chhapri' since he celebrates Holi?'
The controversy has also piqued the interest of self-proclaimed film analyst and actor-filmmaker Kamaal R Khan.
Sharing the news on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, "Farah Khan called those people Chapri, who do celebrate HOLI."
Responding to this tweet, one user questioned Khan's statement by asking if Shah Rukh Khan would be considered a "chhapri" because he celebrates Holi every year.
Defense argument
Khan's remark was defended by some netizens
Despite the widespread criticism, some social media users have come to Khan's defense.
They claim her statement is being misinterpreted and she didn't call all Holi celebrants "chhapris."
One user clarified this by saying, "I think you're misunderstanding it. Boys tend to play Holi in a carefree and uninhibited manner, which is why she referred to them as Chapri—suggesting a lack of restraint or supervision."
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People also claimed that Khan's statement wasn't entirely wrong
Jis tarah se holi banate ha na UP/ Bihar / haryana aur bhi kaafi jagao ke log , us hisab se kuch galat nhi bola ha
— 🕶 (@Perksofshubhhhh) February 19, 2025
Tyohaar ke naam pe nasha, maar pitai yahi sab hota ha bas also harassing girls and all those cheap bhabhi jokes too
Farah is not wrong here https://t.co/hLXQGBmUCu
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'Many use Holi as free pass to do horrible stuff'
Ngl I agree with Farah
— Prachi Verma (@__thprachives) February 19, 2025
There are chapri boys who use "bura na mano Holi hai" as their free pass to do horrible stuff in public.