Dhruv Rathee SLAMS Priyanka Chopra for Not Taking Stand for Palestine at Oscars 2026, Says ‘Position of Neutrality Is Position of Privilege’ (Watch Video)

Content creator and political commentator Dhruv Rathee has sparked a heated debate online after publicly criticising actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas for her reaction to a pro-Palestine statement at the 2026 Academy Awards. During an Instagram video posted Tuesday, Rathee accused the global star of maintaining a "privileged neutrality" and claimed that many Bollywood figures are too "fearful" to take a moral stand on international human rights issues. Swara Bhasker REACTS to ‘Fake’ Tweet Attributed to Her Slamming Priyanka Chopra Amid Oscars 2026 Controversy (View Post).

The controversy stems from a moment during Sunday's telecast when Chopra Jonas took the stage alongside Spanish actor Javier Bardem to present the award for Best International Feature Film. Before announcing the winner, Bardem, wearing a "No to War" pin, stated, "No to war and Free Palestine." While Bardem’s remark was met with applause, Chopra Jonas stood beside him, nodding and smiling without making a verbal statement, a reaction that quickly went viral.

Dhruv Rathee Targets Priyanka Chopra for Oscars 2026 On-Stage Moment

In his critique, Rathee played the clip of the interaction, urging his followers to observe the actress's facial expressions. He argued that while some might see her silence as professional or non-political, it actually represents a deeper issue within the industry.

"You have to see Priyanka Chopra's expression here," Rathee said in his video. "Some of you might ask, what did she do wrong? She stayed quiet there, remained neutral... But that's exactly the problem. The position of neutrality is a position of privilege."

Rathee further elaborated that those unaffected by conflict often find it easier to remain silent. "If bombs aren't falling on your home, you can afford to say you're neutral that you neither support the war nor oppose it. But true humanity lies in those who, even from a position of privilege, still choose to stand on the side of what's right."

‘Bollywood Stars Are Darpok’, Says Dhruv Rathee

Beyond Chopra Jonas, Rathee directed his criticism toward the broader Bollywood community, contrasting them with Hollywood stars who have used their platforms to speak on the crisis. He suggested that Indian celebrities are often driven by financial and professional self-interest rather than moral conviction.

"It’s quite unfortunate that many of our top Bollywood stars are either so fearful (darpok) or so selfish," Rathee stated. "Before taking even a simple moral stand, they will think a hundred times how it will affect their connections with those in power, what impact it will have on their films, their sponsorships, and their earnings."

He added that many stars rely heavily on public relations teams to "issue carefully crafted, safe statements" rather than speaking from the heart.

Questions Over UNICEF Role

One of the most significant points raised by Rathee was Chopra Jonas's long-standing role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. He questioned the validity of such a title if the holder remains silent during moments of global humanitarian concern.

"Priyanka Chopra is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador," Rathee remarked. "If she cannot take a stand on simple things like this, then what kind of ambassador is she?"

Dhruv Rathee Slams Priyanka Chopra’s ‘Privileged Neutrality’ Over Viral Oscars 2026 Moment

 

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Public Reaction

The incident has divided social media. Supporters of the actress argue that she handled a surprise political statement with "grace and class," noting that as a presenter, it was her job to maintain the flow of the ceremony. Some fans pointed out that she has previously shared humanitarian posts, such as "All Eyes on Rafah," on her social media stories. Oscars 2026: Javier Bardem Joins Priyanka Chopra on Stage To Call for ‘Free Palestine’ and an End to War (Watch Video).

However, critics have intensified their scrutiny, labelling her "Daal Gadot", a play on Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress who has also faced criticism regarding her stance on the conflict. As of Thursday morning, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has not issued an official response to the viral moment or Rathee’s comments.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 19, 2026 02:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).