Popular content creator Dhruv Rathee has sparked a new controversy. This time, it involves Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone. Rathee, known for his political and social commentary, made the claim in a recent video.
The video is titled “The FAKE Beauty of Bollywood Celebrities.” In it, Rathee discusses several famous actresses. He says they have used treatments to make their skin fairer. The list includes Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Kajol, Shilpa Shetty, and Bipasha Basu.
Rathee pointed out that many actresses looked darker at the start of their careers. He says they now appear much lighter. He addressed their common explanation. They often say they avoid the sun now, unlike before.
“The secret behind fair skin is neither any cream nor staying away from the sun,” Rathee stated in the video. “The reality is glutathione injections. These have become a popular method for skin lightening.”
The video was posted on Thursday. It quickly gained attention. Discussions spread to platforms like Reddit. There, many fans came to Deepika Padukone’s defense.
Fans argued against Rathee’s claim. They offered alternative reasons for the change in her appearance. One fan pointed to photography techniques. “The lighting helps and editing also happens. I don’t think she got any treatments,” a user wrote.
Another fan explained how skin tone can naturally vary. They recalled the early 2000s trend of tanning. “I think the left-side era Deepika was into bronzer and tanning. Look at her younger pics, she wasn’t that dark,” the fan shared.
The user added that people with more melanin can see big shifts in skin color. Sun exposure and skincare routines can cause these changes. “I thought average Indians would know that,” the fan noted.
The debate touches on a long-standing issue in Indian society and cinema. The preference for fair skin is widely criticized. Many stars have endorsed skin-lightening creams in the past. This has faced major backlash in recent years.
Rathee’s video has reopened this sensitive conversation. It questions beauty standards and authenticity in Bollywood. While Rathee presents his analysis, fans are pushing back. They are defending the actress and challenging the accusation.