Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, and others criticise Richa Chadha's 'Galwan says hi' tweet; netizens trend 'boycott Fukirey 3'

Bollywood actor Richa Chadha is receiving criticism for her "Galwan" tweet, in which she responded to Lt. General Upendra Dwivedi of the Northern Army saying that the Indian Army is prepared to carry out instructions like regaining Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The actor tweeted, "Galwan says hi," sharing a post on the now-controversial statement.

Several celebrities, including Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Vivek Agnihotri, Kay Kay Menon, and Ranvir Shorey, took to social media to denounce Richa Chadha's since-deleted remark about the 2020 Galwan Valley fight.

Akshay Kumar who is known to praise and respect the Indian Army at every chance he gets, took to Twitter to slam Richa Chadha. He shared a screenshot of Chadha's tweet and wrote, "Hurts to see this. Nothing ever should make us ungrateful towards our armed forces. Woh hain toh aaj hum hain (We exist because of them).”

Even Anupam Kher took to his social media account to slam the Fukrey actress for her tweet against the Indian Army. The Kashmir Files actor wrote in Hindi, “देश की बुराई करके कुछ लोगों के बीच लोकप्रिय होने की कोशिश करना कायर और छोटे लोगों का काम है।और सेना के सम्मान को दांव पर लगाना…. इससे ज़्यादा शर्मनाक और क्या हो सकता है। (Desh burai karke kuch logon ke beech lokpriya hone ki koshish karna kayar aur chote logon ka kaam hai. Aur Sena ke samman ko daaw par lagana…isse zyada sharmnak aur kya ho sakta hai).”

The Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri also slammed Richa Chadha. He wrote, “I am not surprised at all with this behaviour. They genuinely feel anti-India. Dil ki baat jubaan pe aa hi jaati hai. And then they ask why people want to #BoycottBollywood #Shame.”

On Friday morning, Kay Kay Menon also responded to Richa Chadha's tweet, "Our brave men and women in uniform, put their life on the line to keep every citizen of our Nation safe & secure! Least we can do is to behold love, respect & gratitude, in our hearts, towards such valour! #JaiHind! Vande Mataram."

Many social media users have now demanded a boycott of Richa Chadha's upcoming movie, Fukrey 3, after slamming her. The third instalment of the sleeper hit franchise, which began in 2013, is titled Fukrey. The movie, which was directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, features Richa in her well-known role as Bholi Punjaban. She is joined by Ali Fazal, Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh, Pankaj Tripathi, and Varun Sharma in the film.

After facing criticism online, Richa had issued an apology, and said on Twitter, "Even though it can never be my intention in the least, if the 3 words which are being dragged into a controversy have offended or hurt anyone, I apologise and also say that it would sadden me if even unintentionally my words have triggered this feeling in my brothers in the Fauj (army) of which my own Nanaji has been an illustrious part."