Congress leader Tikaram Jully stirred controversy on Thursday after referring to Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit as a “second-grade star” who is “past her prime.” His remarks came during a discussion in the Rajasthan Assembly, where he questioned the benefits of hosting the recent IIFA event in the state.
Criticizing the government’s expenditure, Jully stated, “In the name of IIFA, over ₹100 crore of public money was spent. If you saw the hoardings, it was only a promotion of IIFA and not of Rajasthan. What did Rajasthan get from IIFA? The stars who came for the event did not visit any tourist places in the state.”
Further questioning the caliber of celebrities attending the event, he remarked, “Apart from Shah Rukh Khan, all others were second-grade stars. No other first-grade actor came.” When members objected, Jully continued, “Now, Madhuri Dixit is a second-grade star, her prime has gone. She was a star in the times of her movies like ‘Dil’ and ‘Beta’.”
BJP Defends IIFA Event
BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya defended the event, stressing its significance in boosting Rajasthan’s tourism and global exposure. “Rajasthan hosted an event of IIFA’s stature, which usually takes place in mega cities across the world,” he stated.
Backlash Over Remarks
Jully’s comments have sparked widespread criticism, with many slamming his remarks on Madhuri Dixit, a veteran actress celebrated for her contributions to Indian cinema.
This incident follows another controversy involving Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed, who faced backlash for calling Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma “fat” and “the most unimpressive captain.” She later deleted the tweet and congratulated the team after India’s Champions Trophy victory.
Jully’s remarks have now ignited a fresh political debate over the IIFA event and respect for Bollywood legends.
