Arjun Rampal, once one of the most sought-after leading men of Bollywood, has built a career around his brooding charm and intense on-screen presence. From modeling to critically acclaimed roles, he carved out a place in the industry with films that showcased his versatility. However, a resurfaced quote from a 2012 interview has now landed him in controversy, prompting a wave of backlash across social media.
The statement in question, made during the promotion of Madhur Bhandarkar’s film Heroine, featured Arjun Rampal speaking candidly about his intimate scenes with co-star Kareena Kapoor. He had remarked at the time that he enjoyed “getting cosy with Bebo” and was still “cherishing shooting those love-making moments with her”. What might have once passed as a casual or even cheeky promotional soundbite has, over a decade later, sparked a very different reaction.
A Reddit user recently posted a screengrab of the quote, calling it “weird and unprofessional”. The sentiment resonated with many online, who were quick to criticise the objectifying tone. One user commented in disbelief at how normalised such language was in earlier years, while another speculated that such statements were often strategic, aimed at generating buzz through references to on-screen intimacy. Some responses were more scathing, with one calling Arjun Rampal’s remarks “cheap” and inappropriate, even by the standards of that time.
This is so weird and unprofessional
byu/Fantastic_Garlic_227 inBollyBlindsNGossip
The controversy has reignited discussion about the way intimacy and female actors were marketed in past Bollywood films. Heroine, released in 2012, featured Kareena Kapoor in the role of Mahi, a popular actress whose personal life spirals out of control after a failed relationship with her married lover. The film, also starring Randeep Hooda, Mugdha Godse and Divya Dutta, explored themes of fame, betrayal, and mental health in the glamour industry.
Kareena Kapoor Khan’s career, now spanning over 25 years, has consistently reflected a strong sense of agency in her role selection. Known for her bold characters, she has nonetheless chosen to stay away from excessive intimate scenes, a decision she recently addressed in an interview. She explained that her approach has always stemmed from a belief that s*xuality and intimacy on screen need to be treated with more respect and realism. According to her, until society evolves its understanding of s*x as a human experience rather than merely a titillating cinematic element, she prefers to draw that line in her performances.
As today’s audiences revisit older media with a more critical eye, Arjun Rampal’s statement has become a case study in how perceptions of professionalism and respect in the entertainment industry have changed.
