Popular television actor Shoaib Ibrahim and his wife Dipika Kakar have found themselves at the center of social media controversy after uploading a travel vlog in the middle of a national tragedy. The couple had been vacationing in the scenic region of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, when a terror attack on April 22 claimed 26 innocent lives. The horrifying incident sent shockwaves across the country, with several celebrities expressing sorrow and extending condolences to the victims’ families.
Amid this somber atmosphere, Shoaib chose to upload a travel vlog detailing their experiences in Kashmir and their journey back to Delhi. This decision triggered strong reactions online. Netizens criticized the actor for being insensitive, with several calling out the timing of his content. Many accused him of being tone-deaf to the situation. The backlash spread quickly, and people flooded the comment sections of his videos and social media pages, voicing disappointment.
Amid growing outrage, Shoaib addressed the criticism through his Instagram stories. He expressed deep sorrow over the attack and offered condolences to the victims’ families. He also clarified the reason behind uploading the vlog. According to him, many of his fans were worried about his and Dipika’s safety after news of the terror attack broke. In his own words, “It was just to update my followers who were very tensed about our well-being.”
Adding fuel to the fire, an old tweet from Shoaib Ibrahim resurfaced and went viral in the middle of this controversy. The tweet dated back to 2019, when his film Battalion 609 had stirred conversations for its depiction of India-Pakistan tensions. At the time, a Pakistani fan had expressed heartbreak over Shoaib’s participation in a film that she felt painted her country in a poor light. She confessed in her tweet that she hadn’t expected this from him. Shoaib had then responded, “Paapi pet ke liye karna padta hai bhai… entertainment ko entertainment ke hisaab se dekhiye.”
Back in 2019, the tweet had gone largely unnoticed. However, in 2025, especially after the Pahalgam attack and amid rising India-Pakistan tensions the comment attracted heavy criticism. Many netizens labeled the remark dismissive, suggesting that Shoaib had casually brushed aside the political weight cinema often carries. Questions began circulating on whether he had compromised personal beliefs for professional gain.
The incident highlights how closely celebrities’ actions are scrutinized in the digital age. Every word, post, and old comment can resurface, carrying new weight in changed circumstances. For Shoaib and Dipika, what started as a simple travel vlog turned into a moment of unintended controversy amid a deeply sensitive period for the nation.
