A Pune-based makeup artist has found herself at the center of controversy after her viral video demonstrating how to create fake accident scars for work excuses sparked outrage online.
Pritam Juzar Kothawala, known for her creative makeup content, shared the tutorial on Instagram, presenting it as a humorous skit. In the video, she playfully suggested IT professionals use the trick to secure leave from work, even warning them to keep it hidden from their bosses. “This video is especially for IT professionals who struggle to get leaves,” she joked, encouraging viewers to share it with friends.
Following the initial video’s success, Kothawala posted a follow-up tutorial on maintaining the illusion, explaining how to refresh the fake scars when returning to work. “Here’s my jugaad for when your leave is over,” she said while reapplying the makeup.
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Despite her insistence that the videos were meant for entertainment, they faced backlash from social media users who accused her of promoting unethical workplace behavior. Critics argued that the content encouraged dishonesty and could harm trust between employees and employers.
“Sorry, but not funny. This is so cheap and unethical,” one user commented. Another added, “This sets a dangerous precedent, encouraging dishonesty in the workplace.” A third wrote, “This is a disgraceful attempt to undermine trust between employees and employers.”
While some defended Kothawala, calling the video lighthearted and creative, the debate continues over whether the content is just harmless fun or an irresponsible promotion of deception.
