Abu Dhabi, October 8, 2025 — Bollywood star Deepika Padukone is at the center of a heated online debate after wearing a head-covering in an Abu Dhabi tourism advertisement. While some viewers criticized her appearance, a large cohort of fans swiftly defended her, insisting the gesture reflects cultural sensitivity rather than controversy.
The Ad That Sparked the Rift
Deepika and her husband Ranveer Singh were unveiled as brand ambassadors for the “Experience Abu Dhabi” campaign. In one segment of the advertisement, Deepika is seen entering the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque wearing a black abaya and covering her hair — a typical practice for female visitors to certain
Some social media users called her choice “hypocritical” or a calculated publicity move, pointing to her past stances on personal freedom and cultural
Fans Push Back
In response to the backlash, numerous fans leaped to Deepika’s defense. They argued that as a high-profile figure in an international campaign, she acted responsibly by following the dress norms for visitors to a mosque.
One fan wrote, “As Indians, we need not show insecurity. She is covering her head just like we expect foreigners to dress modestly in our temples.” Others noted that such respectful gestures should be seen as a sign of cross-cultural understanding rather than opportunism.
Supporters also pointed out that wearing a modest outfit inside a mosque is often mandatory, and that Deepika’s look was not about religion but protocol.
Mosque Rules and Context
The controversy partly stems from a common misconception: Deepika was accused of wearing a “hijab,” but many sources clarify that she wore an abaya, the customary outer garment provided to women entering mosques like Sheikh Zayed.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque enforces a visitor dress code requiring women’s clothing to cover ankles and wrists, Those dress rules are not unique to Abu Dhabi — numerous religious sites request modest dress from all visitors regardless of faith.
Why the Debate Matters
This incident taps into broader tensions about cultural respect, freedom of expression, and consistency in public messaging. Critics see the moment as performative, questioning whether Deepika would show the same reverence in other religious settings. Meanwhile, fans argue that in global diplomacy and representation, sensitivity to local customs can be a bridge rather than a betrayal.
Final Take
Deepika Padukone’s appearance in the Abu Dhabi campaign has sparked sharp reactions across the internet — some critical, many supportive. At its core, the dispute reveals how symbolic gestures by public figures carry heavy interpretive weight, especially when they sit at the intersection of religion, culture, and celebrity.
