Rakesh Bedi Responds to Backlash Over Shoulder Kiss with Sara Arjun at Dhurandhar Launch
1 hour agoEntertainment
37LENS
2 Sources
TBNthebalanced.news

Rakesh Bedi Responds to Backlash Over Shoulder Kiss with Sara Arjun at Dhurandhar Launch

At the trailer launch of 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge,' veteran actor Rakesh Bedi kissed co-star Sara Arjun on the shoulder, sparking online criticism over the gesture's appropriateness. Bedi defended the act as innocent and reflective of their close working relationship, describing Sara as 'like a daughter.' While some viewers viewed the moment as uncomfortable, others emphasized the importance of context and intent in public interactions.

Political Bias
0%100%0%
Sentiment
48%
AI analysis of 2 sources · Published under editorial oversight by The Balanced News
Analysed 20 Apr 2026· How this analysis is produced· Editorial standards· Corrections

AI Analysis

Political bias across 2 sources
● Left 0%● Center 100%● Right 0%

The articles primarily focus on a social and cultural incident without explicit political framing. They present both the criticism from social media users and Rakesh Bedi's defense, reflecting perspectives concerned with public conduct and generational sensitivities. The coverage remains centered on personal interaction rather than political viewpoints.

Sentiment — Neutral (48/100)

The overall tone is mixed, combining criticism of the gesture's perceived inappropriateness with Bedi's explanation emphasizing innocence and affection. The sentiment reflects a balance between concern over public behavior and understanding of personal intent, avoiding overtly negative or positive language.

How 2 sources covered this story

Each source's own headline, political lean, and sentiment — so you can see framing differences at a glance.

SourceTheir headlineBiasSentiment
thestatesmanShoulder kiss controversy: Rakesh Bedi calls Sara Arjun 'like my daughter' after Dhurandhar launch event momentCenterNeutral
timesnowSara Arjun Is Like My Daughter: Dhurandhar 2's Rakesh Bedi REACTS To Backlash Over Kiss Video From Trailer Launch EXCLUSIVECenterNeutral

Coverage timeline

timesnow broke this story on 20 Apr, 03:00 am. Other outlets followed.

  1. 1
    timesnow20 Apr, 03:00 am
    Sara Arjun Is Like My Daughter: Dhurandhar 2's Rakesh Bedi REACTS To Backlash Over Kiss Video From Trailer Launch EXCLUSIVE
  2. 2
    thestatesman20 Apr, 04:30 am
    Shoulder kiss controversy: Rakesh Bedi calls Sara Arjun 'like my daughter' after Dhurandhar launch event moment

Lens Score breakdown

37/100
Public interest25/100
Coverage gap100%

Story is receiving appropriate media attention relative to public interest.

Story context

Category
Entertainment
Sources analysed
2
Last analysed
20 Apr 2026
Key entities
Rakesh BediSara ArjunTrailer (promotion)Social mediaZoom (Indian TV channel)