A video featuring an Indian man requesting American singer and actress Selena Gomez to chant “Jai Shree Ram” has gone viral online. This phrase, which translates to “Victory to Lord Ram,” is a traditional Hindu chant used by devotees to show their reverence.
The brief clip circulating on various social media platforms shows Gomez posing for a video with the Indian fan, who introduces her to the chant. “Say Jai Shree Ram,” he encourages, to which Gomez responds by repeating the phrase as a question.
Although the video’s uploader, Paliwal, claims it is a recent encounter, Selena‘s hairstyle, jewelry, and outfit suggest that the interaction occurred during last year’s Cannes Film Festival in France.
Watch the video here:
A hindu man met Selena Gomez and asked her to chant “Jai Shree Ram”, only to be ignored by her. pic.twitter.com/WSJqCCfF2t
— A (@atmanirbhar_kid) October 31, 2024
The video has garnered significant attention online, accumulating thousands of views as it spread from Instagram to X. However, the reactions have predominantly been negative, with many viewers labeling the moment as “embarrassing.”
“I’m a Hindu and this is embarrassing,” commented one user on Instagram. Another added, “I am embarrassed on his behalf.”
Numerous users expressed the sentiment that their religion does not require validation from outsiders. “Our religion doesn’t need unnecessary foreign validation. Stop embarrassing yourself and us along with you,” wrote one Instagram user, reflecting the opinions of many who believe India does not need outside approval.
The video was also posted on X, accompanied by the caption, “A Hindu man met Selena Gomez and asked her to chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’, only to be ignored by her.”
One X user remarked, “I don’t know what people get by embarrassing themselves,” while another questioned, “So ‘Namaste’ is no longer how we greet each other now…?”
“I’m getting secondhand embarrassment from this,” was another comment noted on X.