Dhruv Rathee Targets Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra Over Skin Tone, Faces Backlash

The intersection of Bollywood glamour and digital commentary has ignited once again, as YouTuber Dhruv Rathee finds himself in the crosshairs of a massive fan-led backlash. The catalyst? A deep-dive video into the industry's "fake beauty" standards, where Rathee explicitly named superstar Deepika Padukone as one of several actors allegedly utilising medical treatments to lighten their skin tone.

The Spark: "The FAKE Beauty of Bollywood"

In his latest upload, Rathee tackled the pervasive culture of skin lightening in Indian cinema. Moving beyond the usual critique of "fairness creams," he alleged that many top-tier actresses-including Priyanka Chopra, Kajol, Shilpa Shetty, and Bipasha Basu-have undergone significant physical transformations.

Speaking in Hindi, Rathee dismissed the common industry explanation that a lighter complexion is simply the result of avoiding the sun.

"There is a long list of actresses whose skin appeared darker at the start of their careers but looks much lighter today," he noted. "When asked, they claim they used to be in the sun more often. The reality isn't a cream or avoiding sunlight; it's glutathione injections, a popular method for skin lightening."

The Counter-Attack: Fans Rally for Deepika

The reaction was swift and fierce, particularly from Deepika Padukone's sprawling fan base. As snippets of the video circulated on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), users moved to debunk Rathee's claims, attributing the "lightening" effect to the technical evolution of filmmaking rather than syringes.

The defense centered on four primary factors:

Cinematography & Lighting: Improved camera sensors and high-end lighting setups in modern cinema.

Professional Styling: The shift from the heavy bronzers and "tanning" trends of the mid-2000s to a more natural, glow-focused makeup palette.

Post-Production: Advanced color grading in software like Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve.

Natural Aging: How skin texture and tone naturally shift over decades of professional skincare and lifestyle changes.

One defender noted that during her early career, Deepika often leaned into a "bronzed" look, which may have made her appear darker than her natural medium skin tone. Others took a more philosophical stance, arguing that even if the claims were true, "women have the right to do whatever they want with their bodies."

A Pattern of Friction?

The timing of this video has added fuel to the fire. Rathee recently drew the ire of the same audience when he labeled the film Dhurandhar-starring Deepika's husband, Ranveer Singh-as "dangerous propaganda."

Critics are now accusing the commentator of harbouring a bias or intentionally "targeting" the power couple to drive engagement. To these fans, the transition from analyzing political narratives to scrutinizing an actor's biology feels less like "social commentary" and more like a personal vendetta.

The Bottom Line

While Rathee's video aims to expose the "unrealistic beauty standards" that pressure young audiences, his decision to name specific individuals has shifted the conversation from a systemic critique to a celebrity feud. As the debate rages on, it highlights the growing tension between digital "truth-seekers" and the protective, highly organized world of celebrity fandom.