From Shah Rukh Khan to Dhamaal. Iran is using Bollywood to troll Trump  

Bollywood has become the centre of attention in a geopolitical showdown in a way no one could have anticipated, led by none other than Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, more specifically, one of his iconic dialogues. 

In the last few months of escalating tensions between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, there have been many different forms of reactions, from military and diplomatic responses, but one very notable way in which Iran has responded has been to use Bollywood to do so. Yes, you read that right. 

The moment that truly went viral? Iran’s consulate used Shah Rukh Khan’s famous dialogue: “Abhi toh sirf trailer hai, picture abhi baaki hai.” The quote was clearly directed at Donald Trump, taunting him and warning the world that what they have seen thus far is just the beginning. 

It’s not just the dialogue, it’s the tone. Dramatic, slightly cheeky, and unmistakably filmy. And somehow, it works. But this wasn’t a one-off. 

Iran’s recent social media strategy, particularly with reference to Indian films, has become even more prevalent in its use of popular culture to promote its own political views. For example, the Iranian consulate in Mumbai shared a viral meme that used a clip from the Bollywood comedy “Dhamaal,” which showed an actor (Riteish Deshmukh) attempting unsuccessfully to hide, to symbolize the American naval blockade on Iran. The caption used was simply, “Indian memes are GOAT.” 

That line alone says a lot. Iran isn’t just borrowing Bollywood, it’s embracing internet culture, remixing it, and sending it back into the global conversation with a political edge. 

And it doesn’t stop there. The Iranian embassies around the world are using AI-generated content, popular culture parody videos, and memes to mock Trump and shape global perception. At the same time, online groups aligned with Iran are creating viral content, from Lego-style parody videos to satirical clips, that spread rapidly across platforms such as X and Instagram. 

Experts claim that there has been a change in how conflicts are being waged today, not just with weapons, but with content. A new way that people are expressing their influence is through content, which can include memes and humour as well as cultural references that appeal to a global audience, particularly to younger generations. 

What’s fascinating is why Bollywood works so well here. For example, Bollywood actors such as Shah Rukh Khan have a massive global footprint, especially throughout many areas in the Middle East. His memorable, highly-charged one-liners can easily be used in the form of political messaging for an Iranian audience; therefore, the dialogue “picture abhi baaki hai” is not just trolling, it’s storytelling. And that’s the real takeaway. 

They aren’t examples of clever tweets or viral memes; they are the universal access and integration of worldwide pop culture, such as Bollywood, in places you would typically not expect them, even in international diplomacy. 

Because in 2026, wars aren’t just fought on land or sea. Sometimes, they’re fought one meme at a time.