Marvel Studios’ newest blockbuster, Captain America: Brave New World, has caused public debate among Indian viewers because of a fascinating screen moment. An on-screen lookalike for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi left viewers talking with a social media storm.

In one of the pivotal diplomatic scenes involving a newly discovered rare metal in the Indian Ocean, an Indian leader is also seen engaging in negotiations. His white kurta, jacket, and well-groomed white beard instantly made people think of PM Modi. Social media users did not take long to post screenshots, memes, and jokes, jokingly speculating that the Indian Prime Minister had made a surprise entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Who Acts the Indian Leader?

The star of the controversial role is Harsh Nayyar, a seasoned actor with a reputation for Hollywood and Bollywood roles. Nayyar was first recognized for his portrayal of Nathuram Godse in Gandhi (1982), where Ben Kingsley played the title role. Through the years, he has acquired a prolific body of work, appearing in more than 50 films, among them Easy Money (1983), Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Men in Black (1997), and Hidalgo (2004). His TV work comprises appearances in Boston Legal, The Other Two, and the Indian web series Cyber Vaar – Har Screen Crime Scene.

Modi cameo in the new Marvel #CaptainAmerica movie! 🔥

Even Hollywood recognizes India as a top global power, but Bollywood hasn’t caught up yet. #BraveNewWorld #Modi pic.twitter.com/be6zA1x8GZ

— Pluto Reddy (@PlutoReddy) February 14, 2025

The director explains their intentions

Julius Onah, the director of Captain America: Brave New World, responded to the rumors by claiming that the role was not based on any real politician. He went on to say that there was no attempt to make political statements and that the movie had been planned for years before current events.

“Honestly, the only reason was to write a great superhero and political thriller, and not to be political at all,” Onah said. Still, even after these explanations, the fans did not stop using social media for debating and humorous arguments regarding the similarity of the character with Modi.

The brief but powerful appearance of the character has created ripples on social media. Hashtags for the film and the supposed resemblance went viral on the internet, with fans still posting memes and reactions to the scene. Some viewed the resemblance as coincidental, while others theorized about deeper artistic decisions.

A New Spotlight for Harsh Nayyar

While Nayyar’s stint as Prime Minister Kapur in Captain America: Brave New World is brief, the web chatter has brought him back into the spotlight. His career spanning decades now has a fresh viral moment associated with it, courtesy of Marvel’s international appeal and the curious nature of social media users.

As the movie continues to do well in the box office, this debate about this moment is not going away anytime soon.