Entrepreneur and former BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover has recently responded to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's comments during their confrontational encounter on Bigg Boss 18. The tension between the two became apparent after Salman claimed he didn’t even know Ashneer’s name, sparking Grover to accuse him of inciting drama on the popular reality show.
Speaking at NIT Kurukshetra, Grover expressed his displeasure over Salman's remarks, which he felt were unnecessary. "Faltu ka panga leke apna competition khada kiya usne. Main toh shanti se gaya tha jab mereko bulaya. Ab drama create karna ke liye aap kisiko bol do, arey main toh aapse mila hi nahi. I don’t even know your name. Abey naam nahi jaanta toh bulaaya kyun tha?" (He unnecessarily created competition by picking a fight. I went peacefully when I was called. Now, to create drama, you say you never even met me? If you didn’t know my name, why did you invite me?) he remarked, highlighting his frustration with how Salman portrayed their interaction.
Ashneer then reminisced about Salman's previous role as the brand ambassador for his fintech company, BharatPe. He added, "Aur ek baat main bata deta hun. Tum agar meri company ke brand ambassador the toh aisa nahi ho sakta ki tum merese bina mile brand ambassador ban gaye. Mai bhi kamino ki tarah hi company chalata tha. Everything had to go through me." (Let me tell you one thing, if you were my company’s brand ambassador, there’s no way you became one without meeting me. I ran my company ruthlessly; everything had to go through me.) This statement pointedly refuted Salman’s claims of ignorance about Ashneer, implying their professional paths were intertwined.
The feud traces back to earlier remarks Ashneer made during his appearance on the Vagehra Vagehra podcast, where he discussed being denied the opportunity for a photograph with the actor. Following this, Salman confronted him on Bigg Boss 18, expressing, "I don’t feel bad about these things. But when you give a wrong impression about someone, that's not right. Later, it will come back to bite you." Salman stated, "Mujhe toh aapka naam bhi nahi pata tha. Lekin jab aapki woh jo video dekhi thi toh aapke shakal mere saamne aaya tha." (I didn’t even know your name. When I saw your video, your face seemed familiar.)
Salman advised Ashneer to be cautious with his words, emphasizing the importance of how public personas are presented. Grover’s comments have drawn attention online, especially as he is known for his candid speaking style and has previously attracted criticism for his unfiltered opinions.
The heated exchange received various reactions, with many social media users taking sides, and some portraying Ashneer as egotistical for his response. He has continued to maintain his stance, surviving scrutiny as he now prepares for the release of his own reality show, Rise and Fall, which premiered on January 30, 2025, on Amazon MX Player.
“Rise and Fall” showcases contestants categorized as Rulers and Workers, illustrating the power dynamics and strategic gameplay reminiscent of his earlier entrepreneurial endeavors.
This controversy reinforces Ashneer’s reputation for not backing down from confrontation, whether with celebrities or within the corporate arena. Through this new chapter, he continues to navigate the complex interplay of fame and reputation, proving he remains engaged and resilient within the ever-changing entertainment and business landscapes.