The final season of Netflix's global phenomenon, 'Stranger Things', has become an unexpected talking point among Bollywood fans in India. While viewers worldwide are dissecting the plot, Indian audiences have ignited social media with a specific visual comparison, drawing parallels between the show's villain, Vecna, and a controversial sequence from the 2023 mythological film 'Adipurush'.
The Viral Visual Parallel That Started It All
In a pivotal scene from the latest season, the sinister entity Vecna captures the character Holly as she tries to escape and return home. The sequence shows Vecna not only seizing her but also putting her into a slumber. He then lifts her into the air, where she floats helplessly behind him as he walks away. This particular visual treatment immediately struck a chord with Indian viewers.
They were quick to point out its striking resemblance to a scene in director Om Raut's 2023 epic 'Adipurush'. In that film, actor Saif Ali Khan's portrayal of Ravana abducts Kriti Sanon's Sita in a nearly identical manner. Ravana is seen causing Sita to float in the air behind him as he marches off, a visual effect that was widely discussed upon the film's release.
Social Media Erupts with Sarcasm and Critique
Shortly after the episode aired, platforms like X (formerly Twitter) became a hub for jokes and observations from Indian fans. Many sarcastically credited 'Adipurush' as the inspiration for the 'Stranger Things' moment. One user tweeted, "Visionary Om Raut," implying the director's work had influenced the Netflix series.
Another fan wrote, "I was literally wondering where I had seen this scene before while watching the episode on @NetflixIndia. When #StrangerThings5 copied #Bollywood. Turn the Upside Down right side up, and Vecna becomes Ravana." This comparison turned into a meme fest, with numerous users claiming the show had "copied" the Bollywood film.
Beyond the jokes, some viewers used the comparison to critique the final season's handling of its main antagonist. One netizen remarked, "Man, a Bollywood villain goes down with more fight than Vecna. The mind is a strange place indeed." This incident follows earlier comparisons netizens made between Vecna and the villain in the horror film 'Maa', starring Kajol.
The Shadow of 'Adipurush's' Controversial Legacy
The comparison inevitably brought back memories of the tumultuous reception of 'Adipurush'. Released in 2023, the film was initially projected to be a massive blockbuster. It opened with strong box office numbers but quickly became embroiled in major controversies. Public and critical backlash focused on its dialogue, visual effects (VFX), costume design, and the creative liberties taken with the source material. These factors contributed to its failure to meet commercial expectations, despite the hype.
The unexpected link between a Hollywood streaming giant's flagship show and a polarizing Bollywood film demonstrates the global yet localized nature of modern pop culture consumption. Indian audiences are actively engaging with international content through their own cultural lens, creating unique cross-cultural conversations that play out in real-time on social media.
