In a video that went viral recently, acclaimed Bollywood actor and singer Ayushmann Khurrana can be seen belting out the patriotic song Dil Dil Pakistan at a concert venue. Originally written and released by Pakistani band Vital Signs in 1987, the song’s immediate and lasting popularity has made it an “unofficial national anthem” for Pakistanis.

So when Ayushmann took to the stage to sing the patriotic song, internet users on both sides of the border flocked to the resurfaced video footage with their varied takes. Since then, the singer has drawn flak from many Indians on social media, merely days after Ayushmann was seen attending the Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony.

With many resounding calls for boycott over this controversy, one user on microblogging platform X contended, “Disgusting. Boycott Ayushmann Khurrana. Exile him to go live in Pakistan.” As per another angry critic, “A two-faced man like Ayushmann can only be found in Bollywood. So, basically, Ram Mandir was just a publicity stunt. Today, he’s lost all my respect.”

Meanwhile, some are using the controversy to slam the singer’s vocal capabilities. “Well. To be very honest, he has sung it so bad, that it’s almost a disrespect to the song. He has turned the song into trash. What an unmelodic rendition, lol. I’m sure even Pakistanis are lamenting this stranded Pakistani,” read one post taking a jibe at Ayushmann.

“These Bollywood clowns would do anything for money. I don’t know why this guy was called to the Ram Mandir ceremony,” questioned another critic. “The clown Ayushmann was singing Dil Dil Pakistan when Pakistanis were killing our soldiers and innocent citizens. Modi invited him to Ram Mandir’s opening day and he is doing this,” read one angry post.

For Pakistani internet users, the Indian singer’s rendition further underscores the artistry of Dil Dil Pakistan. One such fan wrote on X, “Much respect for Ayushmann while another insisted, “Dil Dil Pakistan so good that even our parosis (neighbours) sing it with all passion. I think we should keep music and art far away from politics and hate.”

However, there appears to be more to the picture than what disgruntled social media users believe. As reported by The Quint and Times of India, the resurfaced clip is from a 2017 concert show in Dubai where Ayushmann appreciated his fans from various states. Contrary to the viral clip, there is a longer footage online in which the singer gives a shoutout to Punjabi and Bengali fans among others.

The events in the viral clip were part of a musical line up including Chak De India that Ayushmann performed alongside his brother Aparshakti Khurrana. As per The Quint, the musician said, “This one is for our Pakistani friends” before proceeding to sing the song which was followed by Chak De India.

Ayushmann’s PR team also confirmed that the clip was from the 2017 Dubai concert where the singer was joined by Ali Zafar as well to encourage cordial relations between Pakistan and India. The timing of the video’s circulation just days after Ayushmann participated in the Ram Mandir event has only intensified the backlash.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the consecration on Monday of a grand temple to the Hindu god Lord Ram on a site believed to be his birthplace, in a celebratory event for the Hindu majority of the world’s most populous nation.

Ayushmann was among several luminaries from the showbiz, politics and business sectors to have been invited to attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple on January 22. Notable personalities like Rajinikanth, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Ram Charan, Dipika Chikhalia, Arun Govil, Kangana Ranaut and others also graced the high-profile event.

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