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Bollywood’s darling Alia Bhatt is no stranger to headlines, but this time the buzz has nothing to do with her films or red-carpet looks. The actor has found herself at the centre of an unexpected social media storm after a video she shot for the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) went viral.
What was meant to be a simple awareness campaign against drugs has now stirred up heated debates, memes, and a flood of trolling online.
The Video That Started It All
On August 14, the NCB shared a 30 second video featuring Alia Bhatt, urging citizens to take a stand against drug abuse. In the clip, Alia appeals: “Namaskar saathiyo, main hoon Alia Bhatt… support the Narcotics Control Bureau in this special campaign against drugs. Say yes to life and no to drugs.”
The post carried hashtags like #DrugsFreeBharat and #NashaMuktBharat, along with a link for viewers to take an e-pledge.
Backlash and Disabled Comments
What began as a straightforward awareness campaign quickly turned controversial. NCB was forced to disable comments after a barrage of trolling. Netizens mocked Alia and her Bollywood circle, recalling old allegations of drug use at industry parties. Many reposted clips from Karan Johar’s infamous party video, where Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Vicky Kaushal and others were accused of drug consumption. Tweets like “Haan chor ko hi chowkidari pe laga diya” and “They have first-hand experience” went viral, intensifying the backlash.
Bollywood’s Tryst with NCB
The controversy also rekindled memories of Bollywood’s troubled past with NCB, especially after actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death in 2020. Big names like Deepika Padukone and Sara Ali Khan were questioned, while Aryan Khan’s 2021 arrest further fueled scrutiny.
What’s Next for Alia
Despite the uproar, Alia continues to focus on her upcoming films. She will next be seen in YRF’s action thriller Alpha, followed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.
