Keep going bonkers: Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor responds to 'classist' take on people buying fake sneakers

Actor spoke about authenticity and swearing off fakes

Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor, the aspiring actor and son of Bollywood veteran Anil Kapoor and brother of Sonam Kapoor, recently found himself in the centre of a social media storm. His seemingly innocent advice on Instagram regarding sneakers sparked a heated debate that has taken the internet by storm. 

Taking to his Instagram Story, the star tried to warn his fans and followers about not purchasing inauthentic products, buying only from trusted sellers. "Don't know who needs to hear this, but please stop wearing fake sneakers. If you have a low or moderate budget, there are plenty of great options out there," said Harsh. 

He continued, "Converse, Vans, basic Air Forces etc. If someone gets you a gift and they happen to be inauthentic, you can pass them on to someone else who doesn't know what they are and would be happy to wear [them], but if you're buying your own, please do your due diligence. Buy from trusted sellers."

This did not go down well with the internet. Sharing a screenshot of his Story, one user of X (formerly Twitter) stated, "He wants to be dragged so bad," indicating that Harsh was asking to be schooled on privilege. Another user shared an image of Paris Hilton wearing a "Stop being poor" T-shirt, simply captioning it, "Him." Yet another said, "We all don't have Anil Kapoor as our father, our bad."

He wants to be dragged soooo bad pic.twitter.com/lmzMlsyYZW

— ✨Disintegrating✨ (@whineandchill) September 11, 2023

Him: pic.twitter.com/2D88CzSDLj

— hater (@genieinakuppi) September 11, 2023

sabka baap anil kapoor nahi hai our bad

— raging maneater (@juhicore) September 11, 2023

Soon enough, people started taking digs at his family. "I'm not going to lie, Anil Kapoor has raised some majorly stupid children," said one X user. "He's Sonam's brother, I think classist thinking runs in their blood," said another. 

im ngl anil kapoor has raised some majorly stupid children https://t.co/t7v3isjUB5

— shei🫶 (@eeliehs) September 11, 2023

He's sonam's brother I think classiest thinking runs in their blood

— brooklyn needs Sally Rooney's fourth book (@finebrooklyn2) September 11, 2023

One X user highlighted how this was a "privileged" take. "Privilege appeal. Even basic vans cost INR2000+ but maybe he wrote it for his own circle, not for common people who unfortunately follow him," they noted. Another defended the star by saying, "His whole personality is being a sneakers fan...Cut him some slack!"

Privilege appeal, even basic vans cost 2k+ but maybe he wrote it for his own circle not for common people who unfortunately follow him :P

— NEHA GARG (@nehagarg9) September 12, 2023

His whole personality is being a sneakers fan...cut him some slack!

— Naab Kaar! (@naab_kaar) September 12, 2023

Amongst the critique, Harsh himself took to X to state, "When I put this out, I already knew people who don’t know people would come after me, etc., but the truth is I’ve been doing this for a long time, and [replicas] of hyped shoes are more expensive than say a pair of Converse, Old Skool Vans, or used Air Forces etc." 

He further said, "I know every time I say something there will be people on social media who don’t know anything about footwear etc. going crazy but a lot of my followers are sneaker enthusiasts or are looking to collect and that’s the audience I’m speaking to." He continued to state, "You can now continue going bonkers on here for a temporary release of joy."

When I put this out I already knew people who don’t know people would come after me etc but the truth is I’ve been doing this for along time and reps of hyped shoes are more expensive then say a pair of converse old skool vans or used air forces etc . https://t.co/ayapMiPRa3

— Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor (@HarshKapoor_) September 11, 2023

I know every time I say something there will be people on social media who don’t know anything about footwear etc going crazy but a lot of my followers are 👟 enthusiasts or are looking to collect and that’s the audience I’m speaking to

— Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor (@HarshKapoor_) September 11, 2023

You can now continue going bonkers on here for a temporary release of joy 🇮🇳

— Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor (@HarshKapoor_) September 11, 2023

When an X user asked him to clarify what he meant, he said, "People who don’t know the world or people that are a part of the world I’m talking about...Most people commenting say nothing about sneakers/authenticity, replicas, fakes, how much the cost, how many people lose money buying replicas and how some authentic shoes are very affordable."

Another X user seemed to side with the star, saying, "Most people on Reddit and Twitter already have a confirmation bias against star kids and they leave no opportunity to hate." To this, Harsh responded, saying, "Yeah, I wonder how many people on those forums have been courageous to go out and actually make art that they believe in and share it with the world...Yeah, not many."

Most people on reddit and twitter already have a confirmation bias against starkids and they leave no opportunity to hate.

— Brobama (@sigmaatheart) September 11, 2023

Yeah I wonder how many people on those forums have been courageous to go out and actually make art that they believe in and share it with the world .. yeah not many .. https://t.co/JhdUsEg3h3

— Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor (@HarshKapoor_) September 11, 2023

To conclude, Harsh's seemingly well-intentioned advice on sneakers ignited a passionate debate on social media. While his message advocated for authenticity and responsible purchasing, it inadvertently stirred controversy, with many interpreting it as a reflection of privilege.

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