Amidst strained relations between India and the Maldives sparked by a tweet from a Maldivian minister criticizing Lakshadweep Islands, several celebrities including Akshay Kumar have shown support for Lakshadweep and urged people to explore its beauty.
Responding to the backlash against Maldives, actor, comedian, and Emmy Award-winner Vir Das highlighted Indian influencers and celebrities’ apprehension about sharing vacation pictures from Maldives.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Vir Das mentioned Indian influencers and celebrities who meticulously crafted their vacation photos in Maldives but now feel apprehensive about sharing them on social media.
In a tweet on Monday, he wrote, “Firstly, happy Lakshadweep is getting some love! Secondly, somewhere in the Maldives, right now, is an Indian celebrity/ influencer, who didn’t eat carbs for two weeks, took the best vacation photos ever, and is TERRIFIED to post them.”
Responding to Vir’s tweet, one X user suggested, “They can just post it saying it’s Lakshadweep/Looks almost the same; will get much more engagement right now.” Another mentioned, “Few are deleting the past ones too.” Additionally, one user pointed out, “One (Indian influencer/celeb) already put pics last week and now lecturing others to stay away.”
Several Bollywood celebrities such as Sara Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor, and Urvashi Rautela have joined the trend of promoting Lakshadweep following disparaging remarks from some Maldivian figures about India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to visit Indian islands. PM Modi had recently shared images from his trip to Lakshadweep.
Sara Ali Khan, on Instagram Stories, expressed interest in exploring the islands, mentioning, “After all the north Indian expeditions I have taken you on – time for you to make me explore the islands and jungles of our country.”
Janhvi Kapoor shared her excitement about visiting Lakshadweep and posted on Instagram Stories, “Are these pristine blue waters real? How beautiful is Lakshadweep! So glad to see this treasure in our country is getting the attention it deserves, can’t wait to explore Indian Islands.”
Similarly, Urvashi Rautela shared a picture from Lakshadweep on Instagram and wrote in her caption, “Planning to go Lakshadweep. Our country has so many magnificent tourist destinations, with unimaginable potential; yet to be fully explored.
Can any of you guess this Indian tourist haven, just from the pictures I’ve posted? Explore Indian Islands… @narendramodi.”
