It was planned: Varun Dhawan clarifies after backlash for lifting Gigi Hadid at NMACC performance

The second day of the grand inauguration gala at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) was a star-studded affair. A bevy of Bollywood celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, and others graced the event with their stunning looks and performances. International celebrities Zendaya, Tom Holland, and Gigi Hadid were also present at the event.

However, one incident caught the attention of the audience. The Judwaa 2 actor called Gigi Hadid on stage and lifted her in his arms, planting a kiss on her cheek. While some viewers enjoyed the moment, others criticized Dhawan for not taking Hadid's consent before lifting and kissing her. The video of the incident went viral on social media, with users expressing their displeasure and questioning Varun's actions.

In response to the backlash, Dhawan issued a statement clarifying that the act was pre-planned. He replied to a tweet, stating that he was bursting the bubble and that it was decided for Gigi to get on stage. "I guess today you woke up and decided to be woke," wrote the star. "So [let me] burst [your] bubble and tell [you] it was planned for her to be on stage. So find a new Twitter cause to vent about rather than going out and doing something about things. Good morning."

Hadid has since then taken to her Instagram story to thank Dhawan for making her "Bollywood dreams come true."

Dressed in a silver vest and black pants, Dhawan also performed on the hit number 'Jhoome Jo Pathaan' with Shah Rukh Khan and Ranveer Singh. He was accompanied by his wife Natasha Dalal and his mother at the event. Despite the criticism, the gala was a resounding success, with a star-studded lineup of performers and guests making it a memorable event.

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