Rajpal Yadav Defends “Bechari” Wamiqa Gabbi After She Got Trolled For “Ignoring” Him During ‘Bhooth Bangla’ Promotions
Rajpal Yadav has responded to backlash over Wamiqa Gabbi's behaviour during ‘Bhooth Bangla’ promotions.
In the fast-paced world of Bollywood promotions, a single camera angle can spark a thousand rumours. This week, the spotlight shifted from the upcoming horror-comedy ‘Bhooth Bangla’ to a supposed rift between its stars. After social media was flooded with clips claiming actress Wamiqa Gabbi "ignored" veteran comedian Rajpal Yadav, the actor himself has stepped forward to clear the air, defending his co-star and dismissing the online backlash as a complete misunderstanding.
ALSO READ | Akshay Kumar Trolled For “Humiliating” Rajpal Yadav With His “Pel Dunga” Remark At ‘Bhooth Bangla’ Event
The controversy began when a few snippets from recent promotional events went viral. In one particular video, Rajpal Yadav, Akshay Kumar, Ektaa Kapoor, and Wamiqa Gabbi were seen together. The footage showed Wamiqa walking quickly towards Ektaa Kapoor, while Rajpal appeared to be fixing his hair at that exact moment.
Rajpal Yadav thought Wamiqa Gabbi was coming to hug him 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/LgJZwZfdW5
— Lakshay Mehta (@lakshaymehta08) March 3, 2026
Netizens were quick to jump to conclusions, suggesting that Rajpal had reached out for a hug and, upon being snubbed, tried to save face by adjusting his hair.
The narrative of Wamiqa being "disrespectful" gained further traction with a second video. In that clip, actress Mithila Palkar was seen asking Wamiqa to stand next to Rajpal for a group photograph. Wamiqa appeared slightly hesitant for a brief second before joining him.
Uno reverse moment 😭
— 🎬 CriticQ | Cinema Insider 🍿🌍 (@FantasyAfsane) March 28, 2026
Rajpal Yadav straight-up ignoring Wamiqa Gabbi… tables turned real quick 💀#BhoothBangla #RajpalYadav #WamiqaGabbi #UnoReverse #BollywoodMoments pic.twitter.com/4CEXRXO7Nr
When she did, Rajpal jokingly walked away, prompting Wamiqa to follow him back to bring him into the frame. While the interaction seemed light-hearted to those present, the internet interpreted Wamiqa’s initial hesitation as a sign of arrogance, leading to a wave of trolling against her.
ALSO READ | Salman Khan Supports Rajpal Yadav After Awards Show Host Mocks Debt Crisis
Addressing the situation in an interview with Zoom, Rajpal Yadav was quick to jump to Wamiqa’s defense, even referring to her as "bechari" for being targeted unnecessarily. He explained that the entire controversy was a byproduct of how things look on camera versus reality.
“Ye kaise hota hai ki jaisa apka angle camera hota hai, main vahan kisi doosre ko kar raha hu, wo bechari kisi doosre ko kar rahi hai, lekin wo camera angle esa laga,” the actor said.
Rajpal Yadav went on to describe the comfortable camaraderie the cast shares, noting that they have actually been laughing about the viral clips behind the scenes. Mentioning a specific instance with Akshay Kumar, he explained how the cast often sets up scenes or poses in specific ways – standing in certain spots to frame the shot – which can be misinterpreted by those watching from a distance.
“In a video with Akki (Akshay Kumar) paaji, there are three girls standing there and hum log jaise scene nahi banate?, you stand there, I’ll stand here, and the girls will stand in between. But if people find entertainment in that too, then there’s no problem. We’ve honestly laughed enough over Wamiqa, Akki paaji, and all of this,” he added.
Most importantly, Rajpal asserted that in his 25-year-long career in the film industry, he has never felt ignored by a colleague.
The film at the centre of this promotional tour ‘Bhooth Bangla’ marks a highly anticipated reunion between Akshay Kumar and director Priyadarshan. The horror-comedy features a powerhouse ensemble including Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Tabu. The film’s trailer, which dropped on April 6, has already garnered significant attention, though reactions have been polarized. While fans are thrilled to see Akshay Kumar return to his iconic comic roots, some viewers have raised concerns regarding the quality of the VFX and the reliance on reused popular dialogues.
Despite the digital drama, Rajpal Yadav’s staunch defense of Wamiqa Gabbi serves as a reminder of the gap between viral narratives and the reality of film sets. As the team continues their promotional run, it is clear that the bond between the ‘Bhooth Bangla’ family remains as strong – and humorous – as ever.
