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Janhvi Kapoor Sparks Online Buzz After Liking Controversial Post Comparing Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi

A reel liked by Janhvi Kapoor comparing Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit has triggered debate online, raising questions about award biases and Bollywood's recognition of real talent.

Janhvi Kapoor sparks debate by liking Instagram reel criticizing Madhuri Dixit and praising Sridevi’s overlooked performance.

Actor Janhvi Kapoor found herself at the center of a social media storm after she liked a controversial Instagram reel comparing her late mother, Sridevi, to Bollywood legend Madhuri Dixit. The now-viral reel insinuated that Madhuri won a prestigious award for a "vulgar" dance number, while Sridevi's powerful performance in Khuda Gawah went unrecognized.

The like, seemingly a small action, did not go unnoticed. A screenshot capturing Janhvi's interaction quickly surfaced on platforms like Reddit, sparking intense debate among Bollywood fans.

The Reel That Caused a Stir

The video in question placed Madhuri's iconic Dhak Dhak Karne Laga performance from Beta side by side with a scene from Sridevi’s Khuda Gawah. Text over Madhuri's clip criticized the Filmfare Awards for honoring what it called a "vulgar step," claiming she contributed little to the film beyond the dance. Meanwhile, the portion featuring Sridevi highlighted her dual role and emotionally charged performance, lamenting the lack of recognition despite her carrying the film "on her shoulders."

Here is the reel that Janhvi Kapoor liked.

Adding fuel to the fire was the fact that both movies were released in 1992, with Beta hitting screens in April and Khuda Gawah following in May.

Fan Reactions: Divided and Emotional

The post ignited passionate reactions online. While some supported the sentiment, arguing that Sridevi was frequently snubbed for major awards despite her stellar performances in films like Laadla, Gumrah, Judaai, and English Vinglish, others came to Madhuri's defense.

“This isn’t the first time Sridevi was overlooked,” one user noted, pointing out missed opportunities in earlier years due to Filmfare not holding ceremonies in 1986 and 1987—years in which she delivered memorable roles in Mr. India and Nagina.

Here is the screenshot of the reel with Janhvi Kapoor's like on the comparison video of Madhuri Dixit & Sridevi.

Another user argued, “Bollywood has always rewarded glamour and popularity over substance. Acting often takes a backseat.”

But not everyone agreed with the reel’s narrative. “Calling Dhak Dhak vulgar is absurd. Madhuri was mesmerizing—she owned that performance,” one user said, while another chimed in, “Madhuri’s work in Beta was award-worthy, no doubt about it.”

Some netizens speculated whether Janhvi's like was intentional or just another case of Instagram algorithms getting the better of celebrities. One Reddit user quipped, “She’ll probably pull the 'algorithm did it' excuse next, just like that whole Kohli-Tamannaah situation.”

This referred to a recent incident where both Virat Kohli and Tamannaah Bhatia claimed their accounts accidentally liked reels featuring other celebrities, sparking unnecessary gossip.

What’s Next for Janhvi?

While the online world debates her social media activity, Janhvi Kapoor continues to build her acting career. She recently walked the red carpet at the 78th Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of her upcoming film Homebound. She’s also starring opposite Sidharth Malhotra in the romantic comedy Param Sundari, which already has fans buzzing thanks to its teaser and Sonu Nigam’s catchy soundtrack.