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Portrait of Alia Bhatt

Photo: Gabriel Hutchinson · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in India · Nationality British — Film / production / advertising / public image / disputes related to works

Alia Bhatt

Film, television and entertainment

Documented profile covering 8 controversies, including “2026: MSF trademark dispute over Jigra — injunction refused but disclaimer ordered” and “2024: accusations of inconsistency after supporting Poacher and carrying Gucci calfskin bag”.

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Profile No. 1937 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Alia Bhatt

Photo: Gabriel Hutchinson · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
8Documented controversies
11Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

01

4 May 2026

2026: MSF trademark dispute over Jigra — injunction refused but disclaimer ordered

Civil / administrative proceedings

Médecins Sans Frontières challenged the use of its symbols in Jigra, a film featuring Alia Bhatt, alleging in particular a portrayal of characters impersonating its staff. The Delhi High Court refused the requested interim injunction.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressDelhi High Court declines injunction against 'Jigra', orders to add disclaimer in trademark rowPressVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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02

March 2024

2024: accusations of inconsistency after supporting Poacher and carrying Gucci calfskin bag

No legal proceedings

After supporting the series Poacher and animal protection messages, Bhatt was criticised on social media for carrying a Gucci bag described as being made from calfskin.

State of the evidence
Reported by the press
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Economic TimesAlia Bhatt under fire: Actress's leather bag sparks controversy after advocacy for animal welfare and Poacher promotionPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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03

2021–24 February 2022

2021–2022: defamation proceedings concerning Gangubai Kathiawadi — prosecution stayed and attempt to block film rejected

Case dismissed / dropped

Babuji Shah, who claimed to be Gangubai's adopted son, brought several proceedings against the film, its producers and Alia Bhatt, alleging a defamatory portrayal. The Bombay High Court stayed criminal proceedings and refused to block the release.

Attribution
Accused

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressGangubai Kathiawadi: HC grants interim stay of defamation proceedings against Alia Bhatt, producersPressVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    The Indian ExpressSC dismisses plea seeking stay on release of Alia Bhatt-starrer 'Gangubai Kathiawadi'PressVery high reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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04

August 2022

2022: "if you don't like me, don't watch me" — renewed controversy amid Bollywood nepotism and boycott debate

No legal proceedings

Responding to recurring criticism over nepotism, Bhatt said, in substance, that people who did not like her could choose not to watch her films. The remark was circulated by accounts calling for a Bollywood boycott.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressAlia Bhatt on nepotism criticism: 'If you don't like me, don't watch me'PressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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05

September–October 2021

2021: Manyavar advertisement challenging kanyadaan ritual — accusations of disparaging Hindu tradition

No legal proceedings

A Manyavar campaign featuring Alia Bhatt replaced the concept of kanyadaan with kanyamaan and questioned the presentation of a daughter as a "gift". It sparked intense debate, with some praising its feminist message and others accusing the advertisement of selectively attacking a Hindu tradition.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressAlia Bhatt questioning kanyadaan in latest ad leaves Twitter divided, labelled 'woke feminism'PressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    The Indian ExpressPro-Hindu group protests Manyavar 'Kanyadaan' ad in Navi MumbaiPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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06

June–August 2020

2020: anti-nepotism backlash following Sushant Singh Rajput's death and record dislikes for Sadak 2 trailer

No legal proceedings

After Sushant Singh Rajput's death, an anti-nepotism campaign targeted Alia Bhatt and her family. The Sadak 2 trailer became one of the most heavily disliked videos on YouTube.

State of the evidence
Documented
Attribution
Directly implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Hindustan TimesAlia Bhatt's Sadak 2 is the most disliked trailer on YouTube as fans demand justice for Sushant Singh RajputPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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07

February 2015

2015: named in AIB Knockout FIR despite attending as audience member

No legal proceedings

Following the AIB Knockout roast, Mumbai police registered FIRs naming performers, organisers and several audience members, including Alia Bhatt, amid complaints alleging obscenity and other offences.

State of the evidence
Documented

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    NDTV / PTIAIB Roast organisers, Bollywood personalities booked for criminal conspiracyPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    NDTVAIB Knockout participants, organisers and audiences booked for criminal conspiracyPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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08

2014

2014: incorrect answer about India's president on Koffee with Karan sparks nationwide memes about her intelligence

No legal proceedings

On Koffee with Karan, Alia Bhatt gave Prithviraj Chavan's name in response to a question about India's president, sparking a lasting wave of jokes and memes portraying her as poorly informed.

State of the evidence
Reported by the press
Attribution
Personally implicated

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    India TodayAlia Bhatt not upset about jokes on her general knowledge on Twitter, FacebookPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 13 September 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (2)
  1. Ranbir Kapoor3 documented references
  2. Sushant Singh Rajput1 documented reference

III. Has something changed?

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