As tensions rise between India and the Maldives, several Indian celebrities and influencers find themselves in a social media dilemma regarding their vacation pictures from the Maldives. This comes in the wake of a tweet by a Maldives minister criticizing the Lakshadweep Islands. In a show of solidarity, celebrities like Akshay Kumar have expressed support for Lakshadweep and urged fellow Indians to appreciate its natural beauty.
Emmy Award-winning actor and comedian Vir Das also weighed in on the controversy. Taking to the platform X (formerly Twitter), Das addressed the reluctance of Indian influencers and celebrities to share their Maldives vacation photos. Despite investing weeks in perfecting their pictures, individuals in question are now apprehensive about posting them due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
In a tweet posted on Monday, Vir Das humorously remarked, “Firstly, happy Lakshadweep is getting some love! Secondly, somewhere in the Maldives, right now, is an Indian celebrity/influencer, who didn’t eat carbs for two weeks, took the best vacation photos ever, and is TERRIFIED to post them.”
Responses to Das’s tweet revealed the predicament faced by these figures. One user suggested a workaround, proposing that they could label the pictures as Lakshadweep since the two locations share a similar appearance, potentially garnering more positive engagement. Another user pointed out that some individuals are resorting to deleting their past Maldives pictures altogether.
There are also reports of influencers who had previously shared their Maldives experiences facing criticism for their apparent change in stance. One tweet highlighted this, stating, “One (Indian influencer/celeb) already put pics last week and now lecturing others to stay away.” The situation underscores the complex dynamics and challenges faced by celebrities and influencers in navigating political sensitivities while maintaining their public image on social media platforms.
Following the footsteps of Bollywood stars like John Abraham and Shraddha Kapoor, celebrities including Sara Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Urvashi Rautela have taken to social media to share pictures of Lakshadweep, responding to calls for boycotting the Maldives. This social media trend emerged after prominent figures from the Maldives criticized India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to explore Indian islands. Sara Ali Khan, in her Instagram Stories, expressed her excitement to explore Lakshadweep, highlighting the enchanting beauty of the islands. Janhvi Kapoor shared her anticipation of visiting Lakshadweep, marveling at its pristine blue waters and expressing joy at the attention the Indian treasure deserves. Urvashi Rautela, through an Instagram post, encouraged followers to guess the featured Indian tourist haven, emphasizing the untapped potential of India’s scenic destinations. Together, these celebrity posts contribute to the collective effort of showcasing and appreciating the diverse beauty of Indian islands.