Will Smith shocked everyone around the world when he walked up to Oscars presenter Chris Rock on stage and slapped him for cracking a joke on his wife and actress Jada Pinkett Smith. 

Initially, most people thought the physical violence was scripted but soon it was made clear, it wasn’t. 

While the world was in shock, Chris Rock found support from a lot of people on social media for handling the situation in a mature manner and keeping his calm. 

While The Academy tweeted that they don’t condone physical violence, it was also reported that Rock has decided not to press assault charges on Smith. 

© The Academy

On the other hand, Indian fans were on another trip altogether as the slap controversy reminded many of them about the verbal fight between filmmakers Ashutosh Gowariker and Sajid Khan at Screen Awards in 2009.

One fan wrote, “Gonna tell my kids that I witnesses Sajid Khan/ Ashutosh Gowariker feud, La La Land/ Moonlight mix up, Chris Rock/ Will Smith feud live”. 

Another wrote, “When the whole Ashutosh Gowariker-Sajid Khan thing happened, I remember Farah Khan saying how Oscars me to 30 sec me stage se utar dete hai after speech. I really want her take on this. That's all.” 

One comment read, “Ashutosh Gowariker and Sajid Khan did it almost 13 years before Will Smith and Chris Rock. And way better. Just saying.” 

Check out some of the reactions below: 

When the whole Ashutosh Gowariker-Sajid Khan thing happened, I remember Farah Khan saying how Oscars me to 30 sec me stage se utar dete hai after speech. I really want her take on this. That's all.

— Prithvi (@mangoisobar) March 28, 2022

Ashutosh Gowariker right now: एक कान के नीचे बजा देना चाहिए था उस time.

— Lajan / لاجن / लाजन (@DilawarTalkies) March 28, 2022

Gonna tell my kids that I witnesses Sajid Khan/ Ashutosh Gowariker feud, La La Land/ Moonlight mix up, Chris Rock/ Will Smith feud live

— ansh (@michaelnotscoot) March 28, 2022

Oscars just witnessed a Sajid Khan and Ashutosh Gowariker version of argument. The only difference is one got slapped and others laughed. Madness.#Oscars2022 #WillSmith #ChrisRock #Hollywood

— Karan Dhillon ƪϐ (@kd_jk91) March 28, 2022

If Ashutosh Gowariker had made a little effort, India could have come first. If you know, you know.

— Neha Sharma (@mmiinniii) March 28, 2022

Will Smith got nothing on Ashutosh Gowariker #Oscars
pic.twitter.com/1lemu3X6ex

— (@ShreshthaSuga) March 28, 2022

Ashutosh Gowariker then and Will Smith now pic.twitter.com/tn3Zkd96ga

— sahil (@sahilosss) March 28, 2022

How did Ashutosh Gowariker handled himself better than Will Smith?

— bhatiboyy (@BhatiYash222) March 28, 2022

It's Oscars day today but always remember Ashutosh Gowariker beefed with Sajid Khan in Screen Awards 2009, and nothing can beat that.

— tithi trashcan (@titsandbitss) March 27, 2022

Chris Rock and Will Smith at the #Oscars (2022) pic.twitter.com/UuItxVl2b9

— Shreemi Verma (@shreemiverma) March 28, 2022

For the unversed, back in 2009, during the Screen Awards, Ashutosh Gowariker won the Best Film Award for Jodha Akbar. 

In his winning speech, he called out hosts of the evening Sajid Khan and Farah Khan for cracking jokes on the film industry and interrupting the speeches of award winners asking them to finish it off quickly. 

© Star Plus

While Farah wasn’t present at the stage at the time of Ashutosh winning the award, the Lagaan director got into a heated argument with Sajid and ended up asking him to “Shut Up”. 

Later, Sajid hit back at Ashutosh stating he works for the audience and their entertainment and no one can ask him to shut up. Farah too joined Sajid on-stage after a while and explained her side of the story. 

Watch the full controversy below: 

Well, it was definitely a memorable night for Will Smith as he also won his first-ever Best Actor Oscar award for his performance in King Richard.

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