Former captain of the Indian cricket team Virat Kohli became the target of surprise online backlash after he liked a daring photo of Indian actress and dancer Avneet Kaur on Instagram. The occurrence, mere hours after he had posted an emotional birthday post for his wife Anushka Sharma, caused a storm of reactions from netizens on social media.
From Birthday Wishes to Social Media Backlash
Virat Kohli, who is known not only for his cricketing prowess but also for his romance with Bollywood star Anushka Sharma, was recently in the news for all the good reasons. His heartfelt birthday message to Anushka earned him widespread admiration across social media. But soon after, there was something fans spotted that generated controversy.
Kohli was seen approving a revealing Instagram post posted by actress Avneet Kaur. The approval did not go unnoticed, and soon people started questioning his move, expressing shock and dismay on social media.
Social Media Users React Strongly
The surprise exchange generated intense reactions, with a number of fans condemning Kohli for what they perceived as inappropriate, particularly in view of his public persona and recent post regarding his wife. Memes, posts, and comments filled social media sites, forcing Kohli to finally issue a statement on the incident.
Kohli Issues Clarification: “It Was Unintentional”
In reaction to the buzz online, Kohli made a short but concise statement. He explained that the like was not intentional and probably an error of the algorithm when he was clearing his feed.
“Kohli emphasized that the act of liking the photo was entirely accidental, stating he had no deliberate intention behind the interaction and it likely occurred while casually scrolling through his feed. “It must have occurred unknowingly while scrolling or due to a glitch. People should not make unnecessary assumptions.”
He asked fans not to read too much into the incident and not to spread unsubstantiated speculations.
The Pressure of Being in the Spotlight
Moments like these underscore the relentless public scrutiny that well-known figures, especially celebrities like Virat Kohli with massive online followings, are constantly under. In today’s digital age, even an unintentional action can quickly spiral into a topic of widespread discussion, attracting criticism, assumptions, and judgment from fans and the media alike, Offering almost no margin for mistakes, life in the public spotlight demands constant caution and precision from celebrities.
Final Thoughts
While the episode may have been a minor mishap, it serves as a reminder of the digital age’s power and the challenges celebrities face in managing their online presence. Kohli’s prompt response helped calm the controversy, yet the incident opened up wider conversations around digital privacy, the importance of intent behind online interactions, and the often unrealistic expectations placed on celebrities by their fans in the social media era.