A major cultural controversy has erupted following the Rangotsav with Hrithik Roshan event, which took place on April 6, 2025, at BH Ranch in Houston, Texas. Marketed as a grand Holi celebration, the show was promoted by 3Sixty Shows and TopShot Events, offering music, dance, Indian cuisine, drinks, and a meet-and-greet with Hrithik Roshan as he celebrated 25 years in Bollywood. Tickets were sold on Eventbrite and Purplepass, with advertisements calling it the largest Holi celebration in North Texas.

But what angered many across the Indian community was the choice of date—Ram Navami, a sacred Hindu festival that commemorates the birth of Lord Ram. While Holi had already passed, this event used its name as a cover, ignoring the fact that Ram Navami is meant for worship and reflection. People were deeply offended when it emerged that the gathering reportedly included the serving of alcohol and beef samosas, something viewed as highly disrespectful to Hindu customs, especially on a religious day.

Instead of offering respect to the occasion, the event came across as a mockery of sacred traditions. Many felt that using Holi branding to host such activities during Ram Navami was not only insensitive but done with clear disregard for Hindu beliefs.

Public anger also grew over the reported involvement of Rehan Siddiqi, a Houston-based Pakistani event manager known for his past links to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI. He was blacklisted by the Indian government in 2020 for engaging in anti-India activities, including promoting propaganda through his radio network. Despite this, a high-profile Bollywood actor like Hrithik Roshan was seen sharing a platform linked to Siddiqi, sparking questions across the country.

Many are now asking how a well-known Indian celebrity was allowed to associate with someone who has been officially flagged by India for posing a threat to national interests. The silence from authorities only deepens the concern, as people wonder why no action was taken to stop such a collaboration from happening on American soil.

Although there was widespread outrage on social media, no official statement had come from the Ministry of External Affairs, Hrithik Roshan, or any responsible body as of April 15, 2025. This inaction has been viewed not just as apathy but as a failure to defend India’s cultural dignity. For many, this incident has gone beyond disrespect—it is being seen as an open insult to religious values and a lapse in protecting India’s image abroad.

According to reports, the event was actively promoted by Mohammad Abbas (3Sixty Shows) and Nouman Khalid (Nouman Khalid Events), both said to have close connections to Rehan Siddiqi. Allegations have also surfaced that free tickets were distributed to pull in a larger crowd and present a picture of mass support.

Even with accusations that Khalistani supporters and Pakistani sympathizers were present, there has been no reaction from the Indian side. This absence of accountability has angered many Indians, both within the country and among the diaspora, who believe such associations should never be taken lightly.

The fact that this event was pushed by individuals linked to a blacklisted ISI operative—and still received support from a top Bollywood figure—has shocked many. It raises serious concerns about how national interests are being ignored for the sake of popularity and international promotion, even when it means standing alongside people known to be working against India.

The Rangotsav with Hrithik Roshan event continued to trigger outrage as more disturbing details came to light about its organization and execution. Reports confirmed that beef samosas and alcohol were sold at the venue, and this happened while devotional songs dedicated to Lord Ram were being played. For many, this was not only insensitive but a direct and deliberate insult to Hindu sentiments. A video of this surfaced online, which was highlighted by Free Press Journal, further fueling public anger.

The involvement of Rehan Siddiqi, a Pakistani national based in Houston, added a deeper layer of controversy. He is said to have played a key role in organizing the event. Siddiqi's background is already under scrutiny, as he was blacklisted by the Indian government in 2020 for his alleged links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and participation in anti-India activities. Reports accuse him of using his radio station and public events to spread propaganda, especially around the issue of Kashmir. His connection to this event raised serious national security concerns, as also mentioned in an article by Mashable India.

There were also claims of Khalistani elements and Pakistani sympathizers being present at the event, which only made the situation worse. Several media outlets suggested that the event was possibly used as a platform to further anti-India narratives, disguised under the banner of cultural celebration.

The show was heavily promoted by Mohammad Abbas (3Sixty Shows) and Nouman Khalid (Nouman Khalid Events). Both individuals are closely associated with Rehan Siddiqi. Allegedly, free tickets were distributed by the promoters to increase attendance, which raised suspicions about the real motive behind such aggressive marketing.

On social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), public outrage surged. Users like Vivek Bansal described the event as a "shameless insult to India’s culture" and even a "direct threat to national security." Despite all of this, as of April 15, 2025, there has been no official response from the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian authorities, or Hrithik Roshan himself.

The RAIR Foundation USA has extensively documented Rehan Siddiqi’s activities, stating that he has been involved in spreading Islamic propaganda and supporting anti-India movements across the United States. Despite this documented history, no action has been taken, allowing his operations to continue without interruption.

Siddiqi, along with a network of Islamic fundamentalists, hotel insiders, Pakistani nationals, and his event collaborators, reportedly pushed Hrithik Roshan’s U.S. tour aggressively, going as far as handing out free tickets to expand reach. These revelations have led to serious questions from the public: Who is behind this campaign? Why is Bollywood repeatedly collaborating with Pakistani-linked individuals? What exactly is driving these alliances, and why is the Indian government not responding to them?

Adding to the concerns, singer Shaan Mukherjee is scheduled to perform in the U.S. in June 2025 with the same controversial group that has been linked to anti-India actions. Citizens are now asking whether @PMOIndia, @HMOIndia, and @MEAIndia will finally intervene or allow this trend to continue unchecked.

Although Hrithik Roshan is best known for his performances in films like Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai and Dhoom 2, he has so far not addressed the backlash around the Houston event. He attended the program, performed for fans, and took part in interactive sessions, but neither he nor his team have responded to the criticism about the event’s poor management or religious insensitivity. Some fans also expressed frustration about mismanagement at the Dallas show, adding to the negative feedback.

This issue is not isolated. The controversy is likely to continue with upcoming events. Shaan Mukherjee’s scheduled appearance in June 2025 with the same group linked to Rehan Siddiqi suggests that similar concerns could arise again. People fear that such patterns are not coincidental but intentional.

The backlash against this event reflects much deeper concerns facing the Indian diaspora and national authorities:

• Cultural Sensitivity: The incident showed how lack of awareness or respect for religious timings and practices can create deep offense, especially when sacred occasions are overshadowed by carelessly planned commercial events.

• National Security: The involvement of a blacklisted individual like Rehan Siddiqi, who is known for pushing political agendas hostile to India, highlights the risks of allowing unchecked foreign influence in events meant to celebrate Indian culture.

• Bollywood’s Responsibility: When well-known figures like Hrithik Roshan associate with individuals accused of promoting anti-India propaganda, it raises tough questions about the responsibility of Indian celebrities in international spaces and the consequences of such affiliations.

The Rangotsav with Hrithik Roshan event on April 6, 2025, has become more than just a controversial program. With the combination of its Ram Navami timing, the sale of beef and alcohol, the alleged presence of anti-India figures, and the complete silence from authorities and the actor himself, the issue remains open and unresolved. The announcement of Shaan Mukherjee’s appearance in June 2025 with the same group has only added to public concern. These repeated controversies underline the urgent need for better oversight, stronger cultural accountability, and national interest protections in such international events.

Pakistani Bollywood ‘event manager’ accused of terror links blacklisted by Home Ministry

The controversy surrounding Rehan Siddiqi, a Pakistani-origin event promoter long accused of having links to terror-related activities, has drawn official response from the Government of India. G Kishan Reddy, the Minister of State for Home Affairs, confirmed in a letter that actions were taken following a formal request by Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale.

In the letter, G Kishan Reddy responded to Shewale’s correspondence addressed to the Prime Minister on 17th February 2020, and stated that the matter had been examined. He confirmed that based on recommendations from the Consulate General of India in Houston, three individuals—Rehan Siddiqui, Rakesh Kaushal, and Darshan Mehta—had been blacklisted.

The letter also said that the Embassy of India in Washington DC and the Consulate General in Houston had been asked to engage with influential local figures, cultural organisations, and genuine Bollywood-affiliated entities. The goal was to ensure that Indian artists and actors received the right message and were encouraged to disassociate from individuals involved in anti-national activities.

Who is Rehan Siddiqui, now blacklisted by India?

Rehan Siddiqi’s name came under serious scrutiny earlier in 2020, when allegations surfaced linking his Bollywood event management work to funding anti-India propaganda, particularly regarding Kashmir.

In February 2020, reports indicated that Indian intelligence agencies were monitoring Siddiqi closely. He was accused of using proceeds from Bollywood shows he organized to fund campaigns and activities hostile to India, with a heavy focus on Kashmir-related propaganda.

Siddiqi, a Pakistani national based in Houston, also owns a radio station, which he allegedly uses to amplify anti-India messages, often highlighting separatist narratives and indirectly glorifying terrorist activities in Kashmir. He has been active in the music and radio industry for years and is reported to have organized over 400 concerts, involving some of the biggest Bollywood and South Asian stars.

“He owns a radio channel and brings Indian artistes to Houston for Bollywood concerts. He uses his radio channels as a platform to run anti-India propaganda,” a prominent member of the Indian community in Houston had said at the time.

The Indian diaspora in the United States has been vocal in its opposition to Rehan Siddiqi’s events. They urged the Indian government to discourage Bollywood celebrities from associating with him. Many within the community labeled Siddiqi as an ‘ISI agent’ and expressed concerns about his role in organizing anti-CAA protests in Houston and encouraging pro-Khalistan activities among the local Sikh population.

Siddiqi’s radio platform was also accused of airing anti-India narratives in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack and India’s Balakot airstrikes, further solidifying concerns about his operations.

Backlash and actors pulling out of events organised by the Pakistani event manager

The backlash over Siddiqi’s alleged activities led to a strong reaction from the Indian film fraternity. In 2019, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) asked singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh to cancel a performance scheduled at a show promoted by Rehan Siddiqi. In response, Dosanjh posted a message on Twitter saying that he would postpone his US tour and made it clear that he had no direct link to any Pakistani national. His message ended with, “I love my country and will always stand for the greater interest of the nation.”

In February 2020, Bollywood actor Salman Khan also cancelled his event in Houston, which was allegedly being organized by Siddiqi. This decision came amid growing allegations of terror funding and increasing pressure not to participate in events linked to the Pakistani-origin organiser.