Aishwarya Rai-Abhishek Bachchan divorce rumours, Kangana Ranaut's slap incident, Allu Arjun's arrest, Poonam Pandey's hoax death: Controversies that rocked Bollywood in 2024

2024 has been a year of unforgettable drama, both on and off the screen, as Bollywood found itself at the heart of some of the most talked-about controversies. From Aishwarya Rai-Abhishek Bachchan's divorce rumours, Kangana Ranaut's slap incident, Allu Arjun's arrest, to Poonam Pandey's hoax death, the entertainment industry has never been more chaotic. With the year winding down, let's dive into the scandals that had fans and critics buzzing, making headlines and setting social media on fire.

Rumours about a possible split between Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan began when they arrived separately at Mukesh Ambani's son Anant Ambani's wedding to Radhika Merchant. The speculation grew when Abhishek liked a post about "grey divorces." Things escalated when Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan were absent from Aaradhya's birthday celebrations, adding more fuel to the divorce rumours.

Rumours also spread that Abhishek was romantically linked to his Dasvi co-star, Nimrat Kaur, and she faced backlash for supposedly causing a rift between the couple. However, Aishwarya and Abhishek's recent appearances together at an event and their daughter Aaradhya's annual day have put an end to any speculation about a fallout.

Poonam Pandey made headlines in February 2024 when reports claimed she had passed away from cervical cancer, with her manager confirming the news. However, it was later revealed that it was a marketing stunt by an advertising agency to raise awareness about cervical cancer. While the cause was noble, the execution sparked division on the internet. Some people praised Poonam's bold move, while many criticised her and the agency, trolling them for the controversial tactic.

In November 2024, AR Rahman shocked fans by announcing his separation from his wife, Saira Banu, after 29 years of marriage. Following this, rumours spread claiming that Rahman was dating musician Mohini Dey, especially after she also announced her divorce from Mark Hartsuch around the same time. However, Mohini quickly denied the rumours, calling Rahman a "father figure" instead.

Kangana Ranaut made headlines after taking her oath as a Member of Parliament during the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, following her win for BJP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi constituency. However, she later became involved in a controversial incident when she was reportedly slapped by a CISF personnel named Kulwinder Kaur at Chandigarh airport. The slap was allegedly in response to Kangana's previous statements about the 2020 farmers' protest.

Vikrant Massey sparked retirement rumours with a recent social media post where he announced he would meet audiences "one last time" in 2025. However, he clarified that he is not retiring but just taking a break. In interviews, he explained that his statement was misinterpreted by everyone.

On April 14, 2024, two men on a bike fired shots at the first floor of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's Galaxy Apartments. The incident made headlines as the shooters were reportedly members of the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang, who allegedly targeted Salman. The actor, who was inside his home at the time, heard the gunshots and immediately alerted the police.

One of the biggest controversies in South Indian cinema involved Nayanthara and Dhanush, who had a legal dispute over a 3-second clip. The Lady Superstar criticized Dhanush for filing a civil suit against her after she used a brief clip from the film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan in her Netflix documentary. Since Naanum Rowdy Dhaan was produced by Dhanush, he claimed ownership of any material related to the film.

Dhanush filed a lawsuit against Nayanthara, her husband Vignesh Shivan, and their production company, Rowdy Pictures Private Limited, demanding Rs. 10 crore in damages. The legal battle caused a significant rift between the two prominent figures in South Indian cinema and sparked a major clash between their fanbases.

Allu Arjun's celebration for the success of Pushpa 2: The Rule was marred when a visit to Sandhya Theatre on December 4, 2024, triggered a stampede due to the excited crowd. Several people were injured, and tragically, a 35-year-old woman lost her life.

Allu Arjun was arrested in connection with the stampede incident but was released on interim bail by a Telangana court. His residence was also attacked by individuals demanding Rs. 10 crore as compensation for the deceased's family. While some blamed the actor, most people held the theatre management responsible. The case continues to make headlines, with reports suggesting a connection between Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and Reddy Srinivas, who attacked Allu Arjun’s home.