Mumbai, February 23: The uproar surrounding the Uttar Pradesh film ‘Yadav Ji Ki Love Story’ continues to escalate, drawing in unexpected figures like YouTuber and Bigg Boss 19 contestant Mridual Tiwari. Frustrated by being dragged into the controversy due to his sister Prakati Tiwari’s lead role, Mridual unleashed a fiery Instagram post clarifying his complete dissociation from the project.
Protests have erupted across Sambhal, Gunnour, and nearby areas, with Yadav community members accusing the film of misrepresenting their social identity through its title and storyline. Demonstrators have filed FIRs against producer Sandeep Tomar, director Ankit Bhadana, and the cast, while threatening cinema halls against screenings and even burning posters in some spots.
Mridual, who has no involvement in the film’s production or creative decisions, expressed outrage at the barrage of abuses and threats from online trolls. ‘I have repeatedly stated publicly that I neither made this film nor can I change its name,’ he wrote. ‘Educated people understand this, but explaining to those blindly accusing without facts is pointless.’
He emphasized respect for all communities’ sentiments, aligning with protesters’ demands for a title change while urging an end to misinformation. The controversy highlights growing tensions between artistic freedom and cultural sensitivities in regional cinema, with the film’s team yet to respond officially.
As social media amplifies the divide, Mridual’s statement serves as a call for rationality amid the chaos. Whether the film proceeds or bows to pressure remains uncertain, but the incident underscores the power of community mobilization in today’s digital age.