March 18, 2025:Bollywood actor Janhvi Kapoor's rumoured boyfriend, Shikhar Pahariya, recently shut down a troll who targeted him over his caste in an Instagram story. The incident occurred after Shikhar posted Diwali pictures in which he shared glimpses of his celebration, including pictures with Janhvi Kapoor and a couple of dogs.
One social media user commented on the post, “Lekin tu toh Dalit hai (But, you're a Dalit).” Rather than ignoring the comment, Shikhar took a stand and responded directly to the troll. He expressed his disappointment that such backward thinking still persists in 2025.
In his Instagram story, Shikhar wrote, “It’s honestly pathetic that in 2025, there are still people like you with such a small, backward mindset." He added that the troll clearly didn’t understand the true essence of Diwali, a festival symbolizing light, progress, and unity.
Shikhar continued, emphasizing India’s strength in its diversity and inclusivity: “Diwali is a festival of light, progress, and unity—concepts that are clearly beyond your limited intellect. India's strength has always been in its diversity and inclusivity, something you clearly fail to grasp. Maybe instead of spreading ignorance, you should focus on educating yourself, because right now, the only thing truly 'untouchable' here is your level of thinking.”
The comment sparked a wave of support from his followers, many praising him for speaking out against caste-based discrimination and ignorance. Shikhar Pahariya is the grandson of former Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. He hails from a prominent family with his mother, Smruti Shinde, being an actress, and his brother, Veer Pahariya, recently making his Bollywood debut in Sky Force alongside Akshay Kumar and others.
As for his relationship with Janhvi Kapoor, the couple has never publicly confirmed or denied being in a relationship. However, they have been spotted together at various events, leading to speculation about their romance. Despite facing occasional challenges in their relationship, reports suggest that Shikhar and Janhvi’s bond predates her Bollywood debut.
Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Disha Rojhe
