A series of photographs and images circulating online depicting Bollywood star Ajay Devgn interacting and laughing with former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi have sparked controversy, particularly in the wake of an upcoming India–Pakistan “World Championship of Legends” (WCL) match. Critics accuse Devgn of impropriety due to Afridi’s past remarks on Indian military matters and involvement in a contentious post-ceasefire victory parade
However, fact‑checking confirms the images are misleading:
- The viral photos and video show Devgn sharing a friendly moment with Afridi at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham in July 2024, during the WCL 2024 tournament, not in 2025
- Media outlets including NewsMobile, LatestLY, NDTV, ThePrint, and others confirm the footage dates to July 6–7, 2024, when Devgn co‑owner of the WCL was meeting team players ahead of the match between the Pakistan Champions and India Champions.
What Actually Happened
- The interaction occurred ahead of the India vs Pakistan match in WCL 2024 at Edgbaston.
- Ajay Devgn was seen shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with Afridi before moving on to meet other players
- There is no evidence of any interaction in 2025, nor of Devgn attending or participating in any WCL events in that year.
Why the Confusion?
- The release of WCL 2025 Indian–Pakistan match faced backlash due to a terror attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam, leading to the cancellation of the match while heated public debate swirled online
- Old visuals from 2024 resurfaced, wrongly attributed to the 2025 event, igniting further outrage and speculation around Devgn’s perceived stance.
Context & Implications
- Ajay Devgn, as co‑owner of the WCL, regularly attends league events his interaction with Afridi was a cordial meeting between co‑participants of the legends’ match.
- Shahid Afridi remains a divisive figure among many Indian audiences due to prior remarks regarding India’s military and earlier post-ceasefire celebrations. These factors intensified negative reactions once the images circulated in 2025
- The case underscores how misattribution of dated visuals can create narrative distortions and reputational impact in highly sensitive cross-border contexts.
Verdict: What Readers Should Know
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| Recent meeting between Devgn & Afridi in England (2025) | False |
| Interaction took place during WCL 2024 in Birmingham | Confirmed |
| Photos are new and connected to WCL 2025 controversy | Misleading |
The viral content does not depict any recent interaction, and the visuals are nearly a year old when re‑circulated in July 2025.
Closing Note
The images of Ajay Devgn and Shahid Afridi doing the rounds online show a brief, courteous exchange from July 2024, not any new meeting amid the 2025 controversy. As sensationalism spreads quickly during high‑stakes Indo‑Pak cricket narratives, it’s crucial for audiences to scrutinise sources and context before drawing conclusions.
