Ajay Devgn Faces Backlash Over Old Photo with Shahid Afridi Amid WCL Controversy

 Indians target Ajay Devgn for old photo with Shahid Afridi

Ajay Devgn Faces Backlash Over Resurfaced Photo with Shahid Afridi Amid WCL Controversy

Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn has become the subject of intense online criticism after an old photo of him alongside former Pakistani cricket captain Shahid Afridi resurfaced and went viral on social media. The backlash comes in the wake of a politically sensitive cricket dispute between India and Pakistan in the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2024.

The Controversial Photo

The image, which was originally taken during the 2024 edition of the WCL, shows Devgn casually posing with Afridi, a legendary but controversial figure in Indian public discourse due to past political statements. Although the photo is from a time when the tournament did not carry its current political weight, it re-emerged at a particularly sensitive moment — right after the high-profile India vs. Pakistan match was cancelled, reportedly due to India's objections over Afridi's participation in the Pakistani squad.

Online Outrage Sparks Boycott Calls

Shortly after the match cancellation, the image started circulating online, fuelling widespread outrage among Indian netizens. Several users took to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to express their anger, questioning Ajay Devgn’s patriotism and accusing him of hypocrisy.

• One irate user wrote, "Ajay only loves India on the big screen — in real life, it's a different story."

• Another commented, "You can’t trust Bollywood celebrities anymore. They’ll do anything for money."

• Some even went as far as calling for a boycott of Devgn’s upcoming films: "He’ll now make another patriotic film just to fix his image. Enough is enough!"

WCL Clarifies Devgn’s Role

Despite the outrage, it’s important to note that Ajay Devgn is one of the stakeholders of the WCL and had attended the tournament in a professional capacity. The photo in question is unrelated to the recent controversy and was taken months prior. Nonetheless, this nuance was largely overlooked in the rush to criticism.

In response to the rising tensions, WCL organisers issued a statement confirming that all remaining matches of the tournament will continue as scheduled.

Kamil Khan, the owner of the Pakistan Champions, also addressed the controversy, stating that if both India and Pakistan qualify for the knockout stages, the organisers will take appropriate measures to ensure the situation is handled delicately and with mutual agreement.

A Divided Public

Despite these clarifications, the social media storm has not subsided. Many fans continue to slam Ajay Devgn without verifying the timeline or context of the image. Supporters of the actor argue that the reaction is disproportionate and misguided, given his longstanding history of promoting national pride through his films and public persona.

This incident reflects the growing sensitivity surrounding Indo-Pak relations, where even old interactions are subject to present-day scrutiny. It also highlights the increasing difficulty public figures face in separating their professional commitments from nationalistic expectations.

As the WCL moves forward, all eyes remain on Ajay Devgn — not just for his contributions to the tournament, but also to see how he navigates this PR crisis amidst calls for boycotts and criticism from his own countrymen.

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