Bollywood Actors Booed at Lionel Messi’s Mumbai Event

New Delhi, December 15, 2025: A surprising moment of public displeasure was captured on a viral video during the highly anticipated Lionel Messi event at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where Bollywood actors Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff were reportedly loudly booed by sections of the crowd. The incident, which unfolded during a felicitation ceremony, quickly became a sensation online, highlighting the stark focus of the audience on the global football icon rather than local celebrity appearances.

The Felicitation Ceremony Is Interrupted

The awkward moment occurred on the pitch when the actors were being officially felicitated by dignitaries, including the Maharashtra Chief Minister. Both Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff were present at the event, which was part of Messi’s high-profile India tour, to show support for football development initiatives. Tiger Shroff, for instance, was introduced as an ambassador for Project Mahadeva, an initiative aimed at nurturing young football talent.

However, as the actors’ names were announced and their achievements—including Devgn’s work on the football-themed film Maidaan—were being praised, loud booing and disruptive chants demanding Messi’s presence were heard echoing across the stadium. The clear noise from the stands suggested that the spectators’ primary motivation for attending was to see the football superstar, and any pause in the programme for local celebrities was met with impatience.

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Focus of the Crowd Is Unmistakable

The viral footage showed the actors maintaining their composure despite the hostile reception. Lionel Messi, who was standing nearby, was observed remaining calm and professional throughout the uncomfortable display of public disapproval. The event later saw a significant positive shift in mood when Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and former football captain Sunil Chhetri were brought on stage, receiving thunderous applause and cheers from the same audience.

The contrasting crowd reaction was widely interpreted as a bold statement by the Mumbai audience. The message was clear: at a global sporting event centered on the “GOAT,” the focus must be kept strictly on sporting heroes and figures directly relevant to the world of football. The interruption by Bollywood and political figures was viewed as an intrusion, underscoring the audience’s deep devotion to the sport itself.

Viral Discussion Highlights Audience Expectations

The incident became an immediate talking point across social media, where the Wankhede crowd’s actions were both criticized and heavily applauded. Supporters of the booing argued that the fans’ reaction was justified because the event’s programming prioritized celebrity appearances over maximizing the time given to the football star they had paid to see. The boos were seen as a defense of the purity of the sporting occasion.

The entire episode serves as a powerful illustration of the evolving cultural landscape in India, where global sports stars now command a level of devotion that can, in certain contexts, easily eclipse that of domestic film celebrities, especially when audience expectations are not managed effectively by event organizers.