1.2241212-3386948831

Dubai: Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma have been served a legal notice by the man they shamed in a social media video.

On June 16, Kohli had posted a video of Sharma scolding a young man littering from his car window.

It went viral.

Following this, the man in the video, Arhhan Singh and his mother had taken to Instagram to criticise the celebrity couple for violating Singh’s privacy without blurring his face in the video.

Now, Singh has slapped a legal notice on the couple, demanding an apology from them.

According to India Today, Singh said: “My legal advisors have sent a notice to Mr Virat Kohli and Mrs Anushka Sharma Kohli. As the ball is in their court, no comments now... As in all fairness, I should await their response.”

Twitter users were divided on whether it was right on Singh’s part to go the legal way or had he taken it too far?

Many felt #Virushka (a social media combining of the names Virat and Anushka) were wrong to have posted the video and claimed that it was done merely for publicity.

Tweep @ashoswai wrote: “Glad that Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli are being served legal notice - there has to be a cost to those who are competing to get emperor’s [Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi] affection at the cost of others!”

And @JhaSanjay added: “Celebrities don’t need to promote themselves when supposedly attempting a good thing. How much publicity do you want, guys?”

Anushka Sharma was previously associated with the Indian government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India campaign) and became its ambassador in 2017.

Twitter user @anirudhbb wrote: “The way Anushka and Virat acted were not good and a clear case of wanting some brownie [points] eye-balls. High-handedness is not the answer to make Swachh Bharat. They could have done better if they wanted to really cause a change.”

Others felt it was wrong for Singh to send them a legal notice, for being stopped for littering on the streets. Pollution has become a huge topic of discussion on social media in India. In a step towards fighting the issue, the Indian state of Maharashtra enforced a ban on single-use plastic items and thermocol on Saturday. Some tweeps also said Singh should have apologised and moved on.

Twitter users @one_by_two: “If I was caught by Anushka & Virat on video throwing trash on the street I would sincerely apologize and move on. Not hit back #justsaying.”

And @vishalgondal posted: “This @Arhhan seriously needs a life. Instead of apologising and being shameful for this act he is going after the Messengers. @AnushkaSharma @imVkohli. Kudos! To shaming people who are littering in Public #Swatchbharat”

@deep9007 also supported @AnushkaSharma and @imVkohli. He posted: “Such a shame that somebody who is doing right is slapped with notice. The guy who filed notice should be punished!”⁩

Some like @ManikSi44649969 felt that the tables had turned and Singh was now looking for publicity. The tweep posted: “I think that person wants publicity now... Was it good to pollute the streets? It was shameful and I don’t think Anushka said anything bad...” ߘ?

A few days after the video went viral, some noticed that Arhhan Singh was actually a child star once and had acted with some popular Bollywood stars.

Tweep @Nilzrav posted: “Turns out Arhhan Singh from the Anushka/Virat video is not a random citizen of Mumbai, but a slightly famous guy who is friends with Bollywood’s #RohiniIyer, #TanjuGarg etc. Also acted with SRK (Shah Rukh Khan) in English Babu Desi Mem and was seen with Madhuri Dixit in Raja, Dekh Bhai Dekh and Paathsala.”

Image Credit:
View gallery as list