Bollywood icon Deepika Padukone has found herself at the center of a social media storm following her appearance in a promotional video for Experience Abu Dhabi, where she was seen wearing an abaya while visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The attire, mistakenly identified by some as a hijab, sparked criticism from a section of X users who questioned her choice, referencing her 2015 My Choice Vogue short film advocating for women’s autonomy in dress and lifestyle. However, Deepika’s fans swiftly came to her defense, emphasizing her consistent respect for cultural and religious norms.
In the Experience Abu Dhabi campaign, produced under the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Deepika and her husband, actor Ranveer Singh, serve as regional brand ambassadors. The video features the couple enjoying the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum and the architectural splendor of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Deepika’s red, long, loose-fitting abaya, which adhered to the mosque’s dress code requiring ankle-length clothing and a headscarf for women, became a point of contention for some online critics. Ranveer, dressed in a black suit, accompanied her in the segment.
The backlash on X saw users questioning Deepika’s attire, with some invoking her past advocacy for personal choice. In response, supporters highlighted her history of honoring cultural traditions, citing her visits to religious sites like the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, during her first wedding anniversary with Ranveer in 2019. For the Tirumala visit, Deepika wore a traditional red Kanjeevaram saree with gold zari work, while at the Golden Temple, she donned a maroon salwar-kameez with a sheer dupatta covering her head, adhering to Sikh customs. Ranveer complemented her with traditional attire, including a mauve patka at the Golden Temple.
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Fans also pointed to the couple’s visit to Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple in September 2024, days before welcoming their daughter, Dua, during Ganesh Chaturthi, underscoring their respect for diverse cultural practices. Deepika’s supporters argued that her choice of attire in the Abu Dhabi ad was a respectful nod to the mosque’s dress code, consistent with her approach to religious and cultural settings.
This is not the first time Deepika has faced scrutiny over her clothing choices. In 2023, her saffron bikini in the song Besharam Rang from Pathaan stirred significant controversy, highlighting the recurring pattern of online criticism targeting her sartorial decisions. As of now, Deepika has not issued a public statement addressing the recent trolling.
The controversy underscores the polarized nature of social media discourse, with Deepika’s fans rallying to defend her commitment to cultural sensitivity, while critics continue to fuel debates over her public appearances. As the Experience Abu Dhabi campaign gains traction, Deepika and Ranveer’s portrayal of the emirate’s cultural richness remains a focal point for both praise and critique.
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