New Delhi, October 21, 2025 — Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has sparked controversy with a post on social media comparing the festival of Diwali to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The tweet, shared on October 20, quickly drew widespread criticism for its insensitivity and perceived trivialization of both a sacred festival and a humanitarian crisis.
At 7:52 PM on Sunday, Varma wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“In INDIA only one day is DIWALI and in GAZA, every day is DIWALI🔥🔥🔥”
The post has since garnered over 4.9 million views, with thousands of users responding in disagreement and disapproval.
Public Reaction
Several users called the comment “distasteful” and “unacceptable.” Responding to Varma’s post, @pranavmahajan wrote, “Comparing a sacred festival like Deepawali with the acts in Gaza is totally wrong and unacceptable.”
Another user, @ashu05245 (Tarun), emphasized the meaning behind the festival, saying, “Diwali is about light over darkness — not about celebrating someone else’s pain.”
User @0__Shunya__0 also expressed disapproval, commenting that the filmmaker had drawn a “wrong parallel,” and added, “Deepawali is a festival of light and positivity. It is celebrated to bring joy to people’s lives across the world. Never compare it with any war, conflict, [or] suffering of people.”
Criticism of Tone and Intent
Some users took issue not only with the comparison but also with what they viewed as a broader decline in moral and social sensitivity online.
User @TanpreetSingh remarked, “Rotten to the core, how does a society take such a dark turn towards such intense moral depravity and normalization of hatred just within 10 yrs will be fascinating for future historians and scholars.”
Others responded with sarcasm and personal criticism. User @saadd_318 wrote, “Bro tryna trend after flopping harder than his last 10 movies and he is talking about explosions after his career exploded in 2010.”
@RohitMu91645791 added, “Extremely unnecessary post that will only bring bad name to our festival.”
Background
Ram Gopal Varma, known for directing films such as Satya (1998), Company (2002), and Sarkar (2005), has been a frequent subject of online controversy. The filmmaker has often been criticized for provocative remarks on social and political issues.
The current backlash comes amid heightened sensitivity surrounding the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where ongoing conflict has led to widespread civilian casualties and destruction.
No Official Response
As of Tuesday evening, Varma has not issued any clarification or response regarding the criticism. The post remains visible on his X profile.
Conclusion
The comment has reignited discussions about the responsibilities of public figures on social media and the limits of free expression when it intersects with religion and human suffering.
For many users, the controversy serves as a reminder that festivals like Diwali, celebrated as a triumph of light over darkness, should not be invoked in contexts that evoke pain or violence.
