The aftermath of the tragic Pahalgam terror attack has left the nation grieving—and emotions are running high on social media. Amid this, Bigg Boss 18 winner Karan Veer Mehra stirred controversy after he posted a video reciting a powerful poem about religious division and lost humanity. Though the poem, originally performed by actor Ashutosh Rana, was meant to convey sorrow and rage, many felt it came off as poorly timed and performative.
Elvish Yadav, winner of Bigg Boss OTT 2 and a popular YouTuber, didn’t hold back either. Responding to Karan’s video, he sarcastically questioned the legitimacy of Karan’s Bigg Boss victory, quipping, “Pakistan se vote aaye the kya bhai?” (Did you get votes from Pakistan?). Elvish’s remark added fuel to the already blazing backlash.
Karan’s video—featuring him reciting the emotionally charged poem—was met with harsh criticism across social media platforms. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Show some sensitivity! This is not the time for dramatic monologues when people are mourning real losses.” Another disappointed fan commented, “I supported you for months, and this is what you choose to share? So let down, @KaranVeerMehra.” Some even speculated if he was treating the moment as an audition opportunity.
To add context, Elvish had backed fellow content creator Rajat Dalal during Bigg Boss 18 and had publicly expressed his disbelief when Rajat finished third. Ultimately, Karan emerged victorious, defeating finalist Vivian Dsena and taking home the trophy on Salman Khan’s show.
The wave of criticism towards Karan’s video unfolded as the country grapples with the shocking violence in Pahalgam. On Tuesday, gunmen believed to be militants opened fire on a group of tourists, tragically killing 26 civilians and injuring several others. The horrifying act has left the nation in mourning.
Bollywood and Pakistani celebrities united in grief, with stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, and Priyanka Chopra condemning the attack and offering their condolences. Across the border, actors including Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Mawra Hocane, and Hania Aamir also denounced the brutality and called for peace.
While Karan Veer Mehra may have intended to use art as a medium of expression, the public response shows that timing and tone are everything—especially in moments of collective sorrow.
