Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif and her husband Vicky Kaushal announced on Sunday, September 21, that they are expecting their first child. The news, which was widely celebrated by fans and colleagues, also triggered an unexpected wave of online trolling after Kaif’s Instagram post ended with the word “Om.”
On September 23, Kaif shared a photograph on Instagram with the caption: “On our way to start the best chapter of our lives with hearts full of joy and gratitude, Om.” While most comments under the post conveyed congratulations, a section of social media users targeted the actress for invoking the Hindu spiritual symbol.
Social media reactions
Several posts on X (formerly Twitter) criticised Kaif, questioning her choice of words and linking it to her marriage with actor Vicky Kaushal. Some users went further, using derogatory language to describe Kaushal and speculating about the religious identity of the couple’s unborn child.
Sample posts included:
- “Katrina bibi, not that Sanghi jerk please.”
- “Katrina why would you subject your poor child to be half of this fascist ugly piece of shit…”
Others referred to her as “Sanghi” for marrying into a Hindu family and for openly participating in Hindu festivals. The trolling also drew connections to Kaushal’s recent role as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in the upcoming film Chhava, a performance that positioned him strongly within Hindu historical narratives.
Background of the case
Katrina Kaif, born to a Kashmiri Muslim father and a Christian mother, has frequently faced scrutiny regarding her personal identity. Since her marriage to Vicky Kaushal in 2021, the couple has been subject to both praise and criticism for celebrating Hindu traditions. Kaif has previously observed Karva Chauth and attended the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya earlier this year.
The backlash over her recent post follows a familiar pattern seen with other Bollywood personalities. Salman Khan has faced trolling for bringing home Ganesh idols, while Sara Ali Khan has repeatedly been targeted for visiting temples.
Analysis
The controversy highlights the polarisation of online discourse in India, where interfaith marriages and displays of Hindu faith by celebrities often draw disproportionate scrutiny. For critics, Kaif’s use of “Om” symbolised an unwanted alignment with her husband’s religious identity. For supporters, it was simply a personal expression of gratitude and spirituality.
What began as a personal announcement of joy quickly turned into an online debate over identity, religion, and cultural politics. As Kaif and Kaushal prepare to welcome their first child, the episode illustrates how deeply social media debates are shaped by perceptions of faith and ideological divides.
