Varun Dhawan Faces Backlash: Actor Spotted Without Helmet Riding Pillion After Visiting Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja
Bollywood star Varun Dhawan slammed for riding pillion without helmet after visiting Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja. Viral video with 2M+ views sparks netizens’ questions over traffic rules and challan
Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan visited Lalbaugcha Raja pandal in Mumbai to seek blessings on Friday (August 29), the third day of Ganeshotsav. Several photos and videos of the actors have surfaced on social media. However, one video has caught the attention of netizens in which he is seen riding pillion with a paparazzo on a scooty.
While a section of netizens praised his humble and down-to-earth nature, others pointed out that he did not wear a helmet.
Soon after Varun left the pandal after offering prayers to Lord Ganesha, he was mobbed by fans. A photographer took Varun on his bike a little away from the pandal. Varun happily sat as the pillion rider.
He was seen wearing a yellow and white kurta and he covered his face with a mask.
After the video surfaced on Instagram, netizens criticised both the paparazzo and Varun for flouting traffic rules. Several users even tagged the official account of Mumbai Police, questioning whether any action would be taken against them.
“Helmet pehne ga to kaise malum padega sab ko, kaise batayega ki maine Varun ko lift diya,” a user commented.
Another wrote, “@mumbaipolice sir helmet nhi wear kia hai ….papers pure h k nhi yeh nhi pata.”
Earlier today, Varun offered prayers at the pandal and also interacted with devotees waiting in the queue. The actor visits the iconic pandal every year.
Other celebs who have visited Lalbaugcha Raja are Janhvi Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra, Bhagyashree, Sachin Tendulkar, Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha.
In November 2024, the Maharashtra Traffic Department had announced new rule which was for both motorcycle riders and their passengers to wear helmets at all times.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Varun will next be seen on the big screens in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari with Janhvi, Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf. The film is all set to release on October 2.
Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan has once again found himself at the center of a social media storm. The actor, who visited the famous Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh pandal in Mumbai, came under fire after being spotted riding pillion on a bike without a helmet. A video of the incident has gone viral, amassing over 2 million views across platforms, with netizens questioning whether the traffic police will issue a challan for the violation.
Varun Dhawan, who was dressed casually during his visit, was accompanied by friends and security. After offering prayers at the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja, he chose to leave the venue on a two-wheeler, seated as a pillion rider. However, what caught the attention of eagle-eyed fans and critics alike was the absence of a helmet.
In a city like Mumbai where traffic rules are strictly enforced, this move did not go unnoticed. Social media users immediately flooded the comment section with sarcastic remarks such as, “Challan nahi katega kya?” and “Rules are different for celebrities.”
The viral video has sparked a heated debate online. While some fans defended Varun, citing the overwhelming crowd and tight security around the Ganesh pandal as reasons for the quick bike exit, others criticized him for setting a poor example.
One user commented, “When common people are fined for not wearing helmets, why should celebrities get away with it?” Another added, “Traffic police should take strict action against everyone, irrespective of fame or status.”
This is not the first time a Bollywood star has been trolled for violating traffic rules. Over the years, several actors including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and others have faced public scrutiny for similar incidents. Social media amplifies these moments instantly, sparking conversations on whether celebrities should be held more accountable since they influence millions of fans.
With Varun Dhawan’s video crossing millions of views, the matter has reached beyond just fan discussions, raising questions about equal treatment under the law. Critics argue that when celebrities flout rules in public view, it undermines ongoing awareness campaigns that promote road safety.
While the Mumbai Traffic Police has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, many are tagging the official handles, demanding action. In the past, the police department has taken swift measures against violators after viral videos surfaced online, even issuing challans to celebrities.
Whether Varun Dhawan will face similar consequences remains to be seen.
On the work front, Varun Dhawan is gearing up for multiple projects, including his highly anticipated collaboration with top filmmakers and his role in a big-budget action thriller. However, this controversy has temporarily shifted attention from his professional endeavors to questions about personal responsibility.
