Nakuul Mehta, renowned for his roles in Ishqbaaz and Bade Achhe Lagte Hai, has expressed strong disapproval of Hema Malini’s recent comments regarding Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the Paris Olympics. The actress and BJP leader’s remarks have been deemed insensitive by many, including Mehta.
After being disqualified from the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat announced her retirement earlier this morning, on August 8, 2024. Her disqualification was due to being 100 grams overweight in the 50 kg freestyle wrestling category, a situation that has left her fans and supporters heartbroken.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Nakuul Mehta reposted a video featuring Hema Malini’s comments and labeled it as “Disgraceful.” He criticized her for making light of Vinesh Phogat’s predicament during such a difficult time.
In the controversial video, Hema Malini stated, “Seekh milna chahiye hum sab kalakaaro ko aur mahilaon ko aur sabko ki 100 gram also matters a lot. We feel very sad for her, I wish she loses that 100 gram quickly lekin milega nahi abhi. (We artists, women, and everyone should learn that even 100 grams matter a lot. I hope she loses that 100 grams quickly, but it won’t happen right now.)”
A day after her disqualification, Vinesh Phogat shared an emotional retirement message on social media that touched the hearts of many Indians. Her poignant post read:
“माँ कुश्ती मेरे से जीत गई मैं हार गई माफ़ करना आपका सपना मेरी हिम्मत सब टूट चुके इससे ज़्यादा ताक़त नहीं रही अब। अलविदा कुश्ती 2001-2024 आप सबकी हमेशा ऋणी रहूँगी माफी (Mom, Wrestling defeated me, I have lost. Forgive me, your dream, my courage are all broken. I don’t have any more strength now. Goodbye, Wrestling 2001-2024. I will forever be indebted to all of you. Sorry).”
Vinesh Phogat, a three-time Olympian and a gold medalist in both the Asian and Commonwealth Games, has consistently competed in the 53 kg category throughout her career. However, this time she was moved to the 50 kg category to accommodate 19-year-old wrestler Antim Panghal, who was set to compete in the 53 kg category. Unfortunately, Panghal faced a 0-10 defeat in the opening round and will be deported from Paris after attempting to sneak her sister Nisha into the Games Village using her accreditation card.
Following Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification, many celebrities from both television and Bollywood have shown their support for her. Notable figures such as Pooja Bhatt, Elvish Yadav, Divyanka Tripathi, and Ankita Lokhande have expressed their solidarity with Phogat during this challenging time. The news has left her fans and supporters in shock as they rally behind the experienced wrestler.