Chennai: The makers of DC have faced criticism on social media after producer Kalanithi Maran gifted brand-new BMW cars to director Arun Matheswaran, actor-filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj and music composer Anirudh Ravichander following the film’s success, while leading actress Wamiqa Gabbi was not included among the recipients.
The gesture was intended to celebrate the commercial success of DC, which has emerged as a notable hit. However, the decision to leave out Wamiqa from the car-gifting ceremony quickly became a talking point online, with fans questioning why the actress was not similarly recognised for her contribution to the film.
Some social media users even joked that if a BMW was not being given to Wamiqa, the makers should at least give her a scooter, while others went further and sarcastically demanded a private jet for the actress.
Kalanithi Maran gifts BMW cars to DC team
Following the success of DC, Sun Pictures head Kalanithi Maran presented keys to new BMW cars to three members associated with the film.
The recipients were director Arun Matheswaran, Lokesh Kanagaraj and composer Anirudh Ravichander. Lokesh made his acting debut with DC, while Arun Matheswaran directed the film and Anirudh composed its music.
The gifts were presented as a gesture of appreciation for their contribution to the film’s success. Pictures from the event circulated widely on social media, generating positive reactions from many fans.
However, the absence of Wamiqa Gabbi from the list of recipients soon became the focus of online discussion.
Fans question Wamiqa Gabbi’s omission
Wamiqa plays a key role in DC, and her performance has been widely discussed following the film’s release.
Several fans questioned why she was not included in the celebratory gesture. Some social media comments argued that the actress deserved equal recognition, particularly because of the importance of her character to the film.
One recurring criticism was that there was no mention of Wamiqa during the BMW presentation, despite her being one of the film’s prominent performers.
The debate has also prompted wider conversations about how different contributors to a film are recognised following its success.
Social media reactions intensify
The discussion quickly moved beyond the question of a BMW car.
Some users sarcastically suggested that Wamiqa should at least be given a scooter if a luxury car was not being considered. Others joked that the actress should receive a private jet instead.
These comments reflect the playful tone of some online reactions, but the underlying discussion has centred on whether female actors receive the same level of recognition as male stars and filmmakers when a film becomes successful.
The makers have not publicly indicated that Wamiqa was deliberately excluded because of her gender, and there has been no reported official statement from the actress addressing the matter.
Wamiqa’s role in DC
Wamiqa Gabbi is one of the principal actors in DC. The film also marks an important point in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s acting career, following his established work as a filmmaker.
The film is directed by Arun Matheswaran and has been described as an adaptation of the classic Devdas story. It has performed strongly at the box office and crossed the ₹100-crore mark worldwide, according to recent reports.
Wamiqa’s performance has been part of the film’s reception, making her omission from the BMW presentation particularly noticeable to sections of the audience.
The controversy therefore comes less from the gifts themselves and more from the question of how the success of a collaborative film is acknowledged among its various contributors.
No official response yet
As the discussion continues online, there has been no official response from the DC makers explaining why Wamiqa was not among the BMW recipients.
There has also been no reported statement from Wamiqa herself regarding the decision.
It is therefore unclear whether the BMW gifts were based on specific contractual arrangements, individual contributions, personal decisions by the producer or other considerations that have not been made public.
Without an official explanation, social media reactions remain speculation and fan opinion rather than confirmation of any deliberate slight against the actress.
Debate goes beyond one film
The online discussion surrounding Wamiqa’s omission has also revived a broader conversation about recognition in the film industry.
Films involve hundreds of people working across acting, direction, music, production, cinematography, editing and other departments. High-value gifts following a successful release are usually selective gestures rather than a reward distributed to every member of a production.
At the same time, fans often expect leading actors to receive recognition when they have played an important role in a successful film.
In Wamiqa’s case, that expectation has become the central point of the current online debate.
Conclusion
The BMW gifts presented to key members of DC have turned into an unexpected social media debate after fans noticed that Wamiqa Gabbi was not among the recipients. While some users have questioned the decision and called for her to be recognised, there is currently no official explanation from the filmmakers or the actress.