Alia Bhatt Trolled for ‘Hypocrisy’ Over Bird Safety Video

New Delhi, january 17, 2026: Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt has once again found herself at the center of a social media storm. The actress, known for her vocal stance on animal welfare, recently shared a video message urging fans to be cautious during Makar Sankranti. While the message was intended to protect birds from the deadly “manja” (glass-coated kite strings), it backfired as netizens quickly labeled her a “hypocrite.”

The controversy highlights the growing scrutiny celebrities face regarding the alignment of their personal brand endorsements with their social activism.

The Cause: Protecting Birds from ‘Manja’

On the occasion of Makar Sankranti, a festival celebrated with vibrant kite-flying across India, Alia Bhatt shared an awareness post on her Instagram story. The video highlighted the grim reality of how thousands of birds are injured or killed every year after getting entangled in sharp, nylon, or glass-coated kite strings.

Accompanying the video, Alia wrote:

“A little bit of love goes a long way. Happy Makar Sankranti.”

Her intent was to encourage followers to act responsibly and assist any injured wildlife they might encounter during the festivities. However, the post was met with a wave of criticism rather than applause.

The Backlash: Luxury vs. Lifestyle

The primary reason for the trolling stems from Alia Bhatt’s role as the Global Brand Ambassador for Gucci, a high-end luxury brand renowned for its leather products. Netizens were quick to point out the perceived contradiction between her concern for birds and her promotion of products made from animal hide.

Key points raised by social media users included:

• The Leather Connection: Many users shared screenshots of Alia carrying expensive Gucci bags, some allegedly made from “calf leather,” questioning how one can advocate for bird safety while profiting from a brand that uses animal skin.
• “Performative Activism”: Critics on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit labeled the post as “surface-level activism,” suggesting that celebrities often target traditional festivals while ignoring the environmental impact of their own luxury lifestyles, such as private jet travel and leather fashion.
• Selective Compassion: Some netizens went as far as dragging in her dietary choices and past brand endorsements (like sugary drinks), arguing that her “compassion” is selective and driven by PR rather than genuine conviction.

Netizens React

The digital space was flooded with memes and sharp comments. One user on X wrote, “Empathy ends where luxury begins for Alia Bhatt,” while a Redditor commented, “It’s hard to take these messages seriously when they come from someone carrying a bag made of animal skin worth lakhs.”

Despite the heavy trolling, a section of fans defended the actress, arguing that her message about the manja was Factually correct and that one can support animal welfare even if they aren’t “perfect” vegans. They pointed out that the ban on nylon manja is a legal and environmental necessity regardless of who shares the news.

A Pattern of Controversy?

This isn’t the first time Alia has faced such “hypocrisy” claims. Last year, she faced similar heat during the release of the series ‘Poacher’, which she executive produced. The series deals with the brutal reality of elephant poaching, yet her appearance at a promotional event with a leather handbag led to a massive debate over her “double standards.”

The Current Status

In response to the intense backlash, reports suggest that the actress deleted the post shortly after sharing it. However, in the age of digital screenshots, the debate continues to simmer, serving as a reminder that for modern celebrities, every social media post is a tightrope walk between personal brand and public perception.