Lakshay Jaggi Clarifies Viral “Snub” of Rakul Preet Singh

New Delhi, February 24, 2026: A fleeting moment at a recent awards ceremony has escalated into a major social media controversy. Fitness influencer Lakshay Jaggi has finally addressed the viral clip that showed him seemingly “snubbing” Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh on stage.

The video, which has been circulating across Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), sparked a divide among netizens, with many calling out the influencer for being “disrespectful” to the actress.

The Viral Incident: What Happened on Stage?

In the widely shared footage from the event, Rakul Preet Singh is seen presenting an award to Lakshay Jaggi. As Jaggi approaches, he accepts the trophy, but the interaction is notably brief. He exits the stage almost immediately without a handshake, a smile, or even making eye contact with the actress.

Netizens were quick to react, with comments ranging from calling his behavior “arrogant” to questioning why the influencer chose to ignore one of the industry’s most popular stars.

“Regardless of who you are, basic courtesy is a must on stage,” wrote one user, while another commented, “It looked like a deliberate avoid.”

Lakshay Jaggi Breaks His Silence: “No Tradition of Shaking Hands”

Following the backlash, Lakshay Jaggi took to his social media to provide his side of the story. According to the influencer, the clip lacks the context of what happened just seconds before he stepped onto the stage.

The Reasoning Behind the Snub

Jaggi explained that he was simply following the “vibe” or protocol he witnessed from the previous awardee.

• The Preceding Moment: Jaggi claimed that an elderly woman (referred to by him as an “aunty-type lady”) received an award just before him.
• The Missed Handshake: He alleged that when this woman extended her hand for a handshake, Rakul Preet Singh did not reciprocate.
• The Decision: Observing this, Jaggi concluded that there might be a “no-handshake” policy or custom in place for the evening.

In his video response, Jaggi stated in Hindi:

“I didn’t go there to insult anyone. I saw that a lady before me tried to shake hands and it didn’t happen. So I thought, ‘Haath milane ka koi rivaaz nahi hai’ (There is no custom of shaking hands here). I just took the award and moved ahead. How was I to know it would be seen as an insult?”

Who is Lakshay Jaggi?

For those unfamiliar with the name, Lakshay Jaggi is a prominent fitness influencer with a following of over 400,000 on Instagram. He is well-known in the digital space for his transformation journeys, gym tips, and lifestyle content.

Rakul Preet Singh’s Upcoming Projects

While the actress has not officially commented on the “snub,” she remains busy with her upcoming professional commitments. Fans are eagerly waiting to see her in ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh 2’, alongside Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan. Originally slated for a Holi release, the film is now expected to hit theaters on May 15, 2026.