Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi’s film shoot in the sacred city of Haridwar has sparked a heated controversy after locals objected to a “Cafe & Bar” signboard on the set, demanding its immediate removal over religious sentiments in Uttarakhand’s most revered pilgrimage destination.
A viral video from the shooting location shows a heated exchange between angry local residents and members of the film crew, with security personnel stepping in to calm the tense situation. The actor himself is not visible in the clip, but the dispute has now gone viral across social media platforms.
The “Bar” Signboard That Sparked the Row
The controversy erupted when the production team set up a fake restaurant setup for a scene in the ongoing shoot. The problem started when they installed a large, highly visible signboard on the set that read “Cafe & Bar.”
As soon as local residents and members of various Hindu organizations noticed the signboard, they became deeply upset and strongly objected to it, according to a Dainik Bhaskar report. The protesters argued that putting up a sign with the word “Bar” on it—even if it was just for a movie—was completely inappropriate for Haridwar.
Why “Bar” Is a Problem in Haridwar
The objection stems from Haridwar’s status as one of the holiest pilgrimage cities in India, where alcohol is strictly banned and deeply frowned upon due to its sacred religious status. The city is widely known for its religious and spiritual importance, attracting millions of devotees annually.
Locals reportedly said that the word “Bar” hurt the religious sentiment attached to the place and demeaned the cultural image of Haridwar. Hindu organizations in Uttarakhand got incensed, creating a major hitch, according to local reports.
The protesters felt the signboard showed a total lack of respect and deeply hurt the religious feelings of the people and devotees connected to the holy city.
The Heated Confrontation: Video Goes Viral
The viral video shows security personnel present at the location while a person believed to be from the production team is seen trying to calm the situation. In the widely shared footage, movie crew members and security guards step in, trying their best to control the angry crowd and de-escalate the tension.
The argument broke out after locals noticed the signboard and felt that such wording was inappropriate for a holy city like Haridwar. The situation soon drew attention online, with many social media users reacting to the video.
Resolution: “Bar” Word Removed from Signboard
According to local reports, the entire dispute was finally resolved when the crew agreed to remove the word “Bar” from the signboard, which immediately satisfied the protestors and allowed things to return to normal. The shooting was briefly halted during the confrontation but eventually resumed after the modification.
The situation calmed down, but not before videos of the confrontation flooded social media, drawing widespread attention to the religious sensitivity issue.
What Film Is Emraan Hashmi Shooting For?
While several videos of Emraan meeting fans in Uttarakhand have surfaced online, there is still no official confirmation about the title of the film or the team behind the project. Some reports suggest the actor is working on Awarapan 2, which is scheduled to release on August 14, 2026.
Emraan Hashmi has also not issued any statement regarding the reported protest on the set. The actor has been filming alongside Aparshakti Khurana, according to some social media posts.
The Bigger Picture: Film Crews and Religious Sensitivities
This incident highlights the growing challenges film crews face when shooting in religiously significant locations across India. Production teams must navigate local customs, religious sentiments, and cultural sensitivities while creating fictional scenarios for cinema.
Similar controversies have occurred in other holy cities when film crews have failed to respect local religious norms, leading to protests, shoot halts, and damage to the film’s reputation before release.
What Fans Are Saying
Social media users have been divided on the issue, with some supporting the locals’ objection to the “Bar” signboard in a sacred city, while others argue that temporary set decorations for fictional scenes shouldn’t be seen as disrespectful to religious sentiments.
Many have praised the quick resolution when the crew removed the word “Bar,” showing that film producers can adapt to local concerns when approached respectfully.
