Farah Khan’s response to a tilak ritual sparks online debate, with social media users sharing mixed reactions.
Published: October 17, 2026, 3:24 PM IST
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https://www.india.com/entertainment/bollywood/farah-khan-faces-criticism-after-declining-tilak-on-forehead-netizens-come-out-in-support-8536872/
Farah Khan (PC- Instagram)
Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan has found herself at the centre of an online debate after a video from a public event went viralThe clip shows her asking a woman to apply a tilak on her hand instead of her forehead, prompting mixed reactions on social media. The incident took place when Farah was being welcomed at the event traditionallyAs a woman approached to apply the tilak on her forehead, the Main Hoon Na director politely declined and asked her to put it on her hand insteadFarah accepted the tilak on her hand, but the brief exchange soon became a talking point online.
Farah Khan faces criticism over viral tilak video
Several social media users criticised Farah for declining the customary gestureSome questioned her decision, while others framed the incident around religion and cultural traditions. One X user wrote, “Farah Khan gets offended when a woman offers her a tika as a welcoming gestureImagine wearing nail polish, which is haram in Islam, but getting offended by a tika because nail polish is a style statement while tika is a Hindu traditionClassic Bollywood so called celeb for you.”
Another user wrote, “So called liberal Bollywood director Farah Khan got offended when a woman offered to put teeka on her foreheadThis is Ganga Jamuni tehzeeb.”
A third user questioned her decision, writing, “Why dis SECULAR Farah Khan refused to apply Tikka on forehead ??”
YouTuber Farah Khan sparked controversy after refusing to apply tilak during a traditional welcome.
Khan was recently welcomed with flowers and a tilak, but declined the attendant’s attempt to apply the ceremonial mark on her forehead.
Earlier, cricketers Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik had also drawn flak for declining tilak during traditional welcomes.
Tilak is an age-old Indian tradition associated with auspiciousness, respect and hospitality.
But what prompted Farah Khan to refuse it? Was it a personal choice, a religious consideration, or something else? Is it not disrespect of Hindu traditions?
— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) October 16, 2026
Social media users come out in Farah Khan’s support
While some users criticised Farah, others defended her, saying that everyone should have the freedom to decide whether they want to participate in a religious or cultural customThey also questioned why the interaction had turned into a controversy.
One user came out in her support, writing, “She doesn’t prefer to be showered with flowersIt’s her choiceThere’s nothing bad in it..we don’t know how her mood was that day or what she went through,”
Another user wrote, “Can’t force people to accept Hindu traditions we are free to choose whatever we want to.”
The video has since sparked a wider discussion about personal choice, cultural practices and the reactions that follow when public figures make individual decisions.
Farah Khan recently hosted Lock Upp: Sach ya Sazaa alongside Riteish Deshmukh.
