Khabib politely declines selfie request from Varun Dhawan
In a viral video, Varun Dhawan approaches Khabib, surrounded by eager fans taking selfies, creating an awkward moment.
Mumbai: Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan’s recent visit to the UFC 321 event in Abu Dhabi has become the talk of social media — but not for the reasons one might expect. A short clip featuring Varun and former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has gone viral, sparking an online debate about whether the mixed martial arts legend refused to take a selfie with the Bollywood star.
In the video, shared by That Dubai Page on Instagram, Varun is seen walking toward Khabib, who is surrounded by fans eagerly taking selfies and greeting him. The actor approaches the MMA icon politely, smiling as he waits for a chance to say hello. Khabib, dressed casually and maintaining his characteristic calm demeanor, acknowledges Varun and shakes his hand. The clip then shows Varun appearing to ask Khabib for a picture — but instead of posing, Khabib gives a brief response. Varun nods, smiles, and steps back respectfully. Moments later, Khabib poses with another fan nearby before walking away, prompting a storm of reactions online.
The video was captioned, “Khabib declined to take a picture with Varun Dhawan at UFC 2025.” Within hours, it went viral across social platforms, amassing thousands of comments and shares. Fans were quick to dissect every frame of the encounter, debating whether Khabib had indeed “snubbed” the Bollywood star or if the situation was being blown out of proportion.
Social media users soon split into two camps. Some defended the fighter, suggesting that the moment had been misinterpreted. One user wrote, “He doesn’t know who Varun is, simple as that,” while another commented, “Khabib didn’t refuse; maybe he was just in a hurry or didn’t realize who asked for the selfie.”
Others, however, were less forgiving. A few took a light-hearted jab at the situation, with comments like “Reel hero meets real hero” and “Nobody knows Varun Dhawan outside India.” Memes quickly followed, featuring screenshots of the video paired with playful captions comparing Bollywood glamour to Khabib’s no-nonsense personality.
Despite the online chatter, there’s no confirmation of what exactly transpired. People present at the event say it’s possible Khabib didn’t hear or fully understand Varun’s request amid the crowd noise. Those familiar with Khabib’s public appearances know that he often avoids taking casual selfies, especially in crowded or chaotic settings, preferring to keep interactions brief and respectful.
Varun Dhawan, for his part, has not commented on the viral video — a silence that fans say reflects his calm and good-humored nature. Known for being friendly and approachable, Varun is no stranger to viral moments, but this one has certainly taken an unexpected turn.
Meanwhile, the former UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, remains one of the most admired figures in global sports, celebrated for his humility and discipline both inside and outside the octagon. His decision to retire undefeated and his devout lifestyle have earned him immense respect across the world.
On the professional front, Varun Dhawan continues to be one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars. The actor is now gearing up for his next big release, “Border 2,” co-starring Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, and Sonam Bajwa, slated to hit theatres on January 22, 2026.
Whether Khabib truly refused the selfie or not remains a mystery — but one thing is certain: a brief encounter between two stars from entirely different worlds has managed to captivate the internet’s full attention.