Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan recently faced backlash on social media after a video of her refusing a tilak on her forehead at an event went viral. The moment was caught on video when the filmmaker was attending a public event. The video has since sparked debate online. While a section of users slammed Farah, many others came to her defence.
Farah Khan refuses tilak, faces backlash
The viral video shows Farah being welcomed traditionally with the customary application of tilak on the forehead at an event. As soon as the woman who is seen welcoming Farah went ahead to apply tilak on her forehead, the director and choreographer declined the same and politely asked for it to be placed on her hand instead. She then accepted the tilak at the back of her hand before proceeding.
Secular Farah Khan refused to wear tika on her forehead and asked to apply it on her hand instead. https://t.co/tgT2S7wiqO
— News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) October 16, 2026
However, the brief act did not sit well with a section of users who criticised her, calling her actions disrespectful. Users on social media users argued that she should have accepted the tilak on her forehead, as it is a customary greeting. As the clip circulated online, some even tried to give it a communal angle and question her actions.
Fans defend Farah Khan
On the other hand, several others came to Farah Khan’s defence, arguing that she should be free to decide how she wishes to participate in a religious or cultural custom. Others also questioned the need for the custom at an event that wasn’t religious.
One of the users wrote, “She doesn’t prefer to be showered with flowers. It’s her choice. There’s nothing bad in it..we don’t know how her mood was that day or what she went through.” Another wrote, “Can’t force people to accept Hindu traditions we are free to choose whatever we want to.”
@NewsAlgebraIND Come on guys she’s not at a temple or religious event where she refused to get a Tika. She’s at some private function and where the Tika is not necessary. She’s just got dressed up for the event, obviously she didn’t want to get her makeup spoiled.
— Global Sanatani 🇮🇳 🇦🇪 🇨🇦 (@Fck_LftLiberals) October 16, 2026
A user pointed out, “I will not wear skull cap in the same way she need not to apply tika on forehead views ke liye kuch bhi likhna hota hai tum logo ko”, another user commented, “I don’t see any issue here. It’s her choice.”
@NewsAlgebraIND It’s her choice of choosing the religion which she can follow and also I don’t think she has done anything disrespecting thing in this video….
— Geet (@GeetRumani) October 17, 2026
Another user wrote, “Good for her. Tikka should only be put at the temple or during house puja. It is a sacred tradition that shouldn’t be abused.”
Notably, Farah is known to maintain her boundaries and speak up when something isn’t right. Recently, she even warned paparazzi not to click her from wrong angles.