On 28 November 2025, Aryan Khan — son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan — attended a launch event for his brand in a Bengaluru pub under the jurisdiction of the Ashoknagar police station. A video from the event has now gone viral on social media. In it, Aryan appears to step out onto a balcony and briefly flashes his middle finger towards the crowd below, before waving and smiling.
That brief gesture, many argue, was enough to spark widespread outrage. Critics have called it disrespectful and inappropriate — especially since women and families were reportedly present at the venue.
The Legal Fallout: Complaints and Ongoing Investigation
Soon after the video went viral, a Bengaluru-based advocate, Owaiz Hussain S, submitted a formal complaint to senior police officials — including the Commissioner of Bengaluru City Police — and to the state’s Women’s Commission. The complaint accuses Aryan of making an obscene gesture in public, insulting the modesty of women present, and causing emotional distress and public discomfort.
A second complainant, Tejas A Gowda, also backed the petition, urging authorities to take strict action not only against Aryan but also against others present at the event — including two other sons of prominent political families.
In response to the uproar, the local police have reportedly begun a suo motu inquiry: reviewing CCTV footage, gathering statements from pub staff, and deciding whether an FIR should be registered. As of now, no official charges have been confirmed.
The Defence: Friends & Associates Speak Out
Amid the uproar, Zaid Khan — a friend of Aryan and actor — publicly defended him. He asserted that the hand gesture in question was not directed at the crowd, but was, in fact, meant for a manager behind him — a claim he says has been misconstrued by the public and media. According to Zaid, the whole situation is a misunderstanding rather than an act of disrespect.
Supporters of Aryan seem to echo this view, suggesting that the moment might have been impulsive or playful — and that the backlash is disproportionate to the act.
Background: Not His First Brush with Public Scrutiny
This isn’t the first time Aryan has found himself under public scrutiny. The last major controversy dates back to 2021 when he was detained by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in a high-profile cruise-ship drug raid. Though he was granted bail and not convicted, the episode has continued to color public perception of him.
Public Reaction: Polarised and Loud
Media coverage and social-media responses have been swift. Some netizens have condemned the gesture as “callous” and “insensitive,” especially in the presence of women and families. Others, however, have questioned the severity of the outrage — pointing out that it was “a private event,” and implying that the complaint and legal actions are over-blown.
On Reddit, one user summed up a frequent sentiment:
“Never knew lawyers had free time to complain about his actions instead of focusing on major issues…”
Whether the backlash is justified or not, the controversy has already reignited debate around privilege, public behaviour, and accountability.
What Happens Next: Investigation, Decisions and Image Damage
At present, local law-enforcement agencies are investigating. If the footage corroborates the complaint, an FIR might be registered under relevant clauses of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to public obscenity and insult to modesty.
Whether this leads to formal charges — or polarised debate over how public figures should behave — remains to be seen. But in the court of public opinion, Aryan’s latest controversy has already stirred a storm.
