Bollywood star Varun Dhawan found himself at the centre of a social media storm after a video of him performing pull-ups inside a Mumbai Metro coach went viral. The clip, which showed the actor gripping the overhead metal bar while fellow commuters looked on, triggered sharp criticism online, with many calling the act unsafe and irresponsible in a public transport setting.
The controversy escalated when Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL) reshared the video on its official social media handle, issuing a stern safety advisory. The post warned that such behaviour could attract penalties under the Metro Railways (Operations and Maintenance) Act, 2002, even hinting at punishment or imprisonment depending on the severity of the offence. The advisory, which urged commuters to “hang out, but don’t hang in there,” quickly went viral, intensifying speculation that Varun Dhawan had been fined.
However, the narrative took a decisive turn after Varun Dhawan’s team issued an official clarification, firmly putting an end to rumours of legal trouble. The earlier post by MMMOCL has since been deleted, and it has now been confirmed that no fine or penalty of any kind was imposed on the actor. Addressing the confusion, Varun’s team released the following statement in full: “We would like to address the recent reports regarding Varun Dhawan and the Mumbai Metro. We wish to clarify that no fine or penalty of any kind has been issued to Varun. The earlier post by the authorities has been taken down, and we appreciate their cooperation in clearing up this misunderstanding. Varun has the utmost respect for the city's rules and the Metro department’s efforts. We are happy to confirm that there are no pending issues, and we thank the media for sharing this accurate update.”
Sources confirm that the matter was resolved swiftly through communication between the concerned parties, with authorities acknowledging that the incident did not escalate into any formal violation. The deletion of the MMMOCL post further underscored that the issue had been laid to rest, even as the episode reignited conversations around celebrity conduct in public spaces.
While the backlash briefly threatened to overshadow his professional work, Varun Dhawan remains firmly in the spotlight for his on-screen presence. The actor was recently seen in Border 2, where he portrays Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, PVC, in a powerful military role. The film also stars Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, with Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Medha Rana, and Anya Singh rounding out the ensemble cast.
With the controversy now officially closed and no legal consequences attached, Varun Dhawan moves forward unscathed—proving once again how quickly a viral moment can spiral into a headline, and how just as swiftly, the truth can set the record straight.