Former Bollywood star and bestselling author Twinkle Khanna takes aim at India’s growing obsession with misinformation in a witty, satirical piece that’s sparking conversations online.
In a recent satirical column for the Times of India, Twinkle Khanna critiques India’s deepening infatuation with fake news amidst rising political tensions with Pakistan. The former actor uses humor and irony to reflect on how misinformation permeates everything—from film posters to international conflicts.
Recalling a nostalgic moment listening to Sanam Teri Kasam, Twinkle is startled to find Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane missing from the film’s digital cover. Upon further research, she discovers that other Pakistani stars like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan have also been scrubbed from promotional content.
In the piece—titled “Real Paneer, Fake News, and What the Mahatma Never Said”—Twinkle mockingly suggests that, in patriotic solidarity, Abida Parveen and Farida Khanum’s classics should be redubbed by none other than Dhinchak Pooja. “That will really teach the Pakistanis a lesson,” she quips.
Khanna’s satire also explores false reports about Imran Khan’s health and alleged nuclear threats, pointing out that such claims were eventually debunked. She draws a hilarious parallel with her paneer predicament, writing: “I can test paneer with iodine—but what’s the litmus test for truth?”
The blog post takes a personal turn when she shares a humorous exchange with her husband, Akshay Kumar, after spotting a fake report about a feud with Vicky Kaushal. Though the news turned out to be false, Akshay’s claim about a minor injury was confirmed—his leg really was on fire.
Twinkle ends on a powerful note, criticizing the media’s dramatized war coverage and the public’s passive consumption of digital chaos. “War turns into just another viral video—explosions and noise, seen from a safe distance,” she writes.
Using Gandhi’s name for comic effect, she concludes: “Gandhi ji once said, ‘Fake paneer messes with your stomach and fake news with your mind.’ Okay, he didn’t, but in times like these, who can tell the difference?”
Her sentiments echo those of other celebrities like Sonakshi Sinha, who recently slammed Indian news channels for sensationalizing the Indo-Pak conflict. “Our news is a circus,” Sonakshi wrote on Instagram, urging followers to seek out reliable sources.