Ajith Kumar’s Good Bad Ugly hit theatres with all the fireworks one expects from a star-driven entertainer. Directed by self-proclaimed Ajith fan Adhik Ravichandran, the film has sparked a flood of reactions, most of them split straight down the middle. While die-hard fans are hailing it as a “mass” comeback for the star, critics are pointing out the film’s uneven storytelling and over-the-top fan service.
Across social media, Ajith fans have declared the film a winner. Many are celebrating his powerful entry, catchy songs, and scenes that reference his past blockbusters. A user wrote, “Violence. Violence. Violence. Thala is back,” quoting one of the film’s many callback dialogues. Another praised the nostalgia-filled interaction between Ajith and Simran, calling it one of the film’s standout moments. The remix of Ilamai Idho and the song God Bless U have also become instant hits among audiences.
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However, critics have a more restrained take. The general consensus is that while Good Bad Ugly offers plenty of moments for fans to cheer, it doesn’t do much beyond that. Ajith plays Red Dragon aka AK, a gangster who surrenders for the sake of his son and returns to action when the boy is kidnapped. The first half, packed with slick action and star-powered moments, moves quickly. But the second half, filled with flashbacks, dragged-out scenes, and a cluttered villain list, loses momentum.
A common complaint is the number of villains including Arjun Das, Jackie Shroff, Rahul Dev, Shine Tom Chacko, and others, none of whom get enough screen time to make an impact. Arjun Das, in a double role, especially left critics underwhelmed. Trisha’s character is also seen as underwritten, serving more as a plot device than a fully realised role.
What has raised eyebrows even further are the animated cameos. From John Wick to Money Heist’s Professor and Don Lee from The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil, the film takes wild creative liberties. While fans in theatres cheered, some critics questioned the legality and necessity of these references.
Despite all this, Good Bad Ugly is being praised for its technical aspects, GV Prakash’s music, especially during elevation scenes, and Abinandhan Ramanujam’s stylish cinematography.
In short, if you're an Ajith fan, this film gives you everything you could want. For everyone else, it’s a loud, chaotic, and overindulgent ride that might be harder to sit through.
The singer jokingly texted Clairo saying, "Let's f**k her up," sparking an online frenzy
Why Charli XCX jokingly declared war on Peppa Pig after one viral comment
Highlights
What started as a playful celebrity game has turned into one of the internet's most unexpected viral moments, with Charli XCX jokingly threatening to "f**k up" Peppa Pig after the beloved cartoon character appeared to dismiss singer Clairo.
The exchange quickly spread across social media, drawing reactions from fans and fellow musicians, while turning an unlikely clash between a pop star and a fictional children's character into a trending talking point.
Peppa Pig's viral remark sparked the joke
The playful exchange began during Peppa Pig's appearance in Pitchfork's Over/Under game, where the animated character rated a selection of music artists.
While expressing admiration for acts including PinkPantheress and The Beatles, Peppa responded to Clairo by saying, "I don't know her," a line widely recognised as a reference to Mariah Carey's famous response when asked about Jennifer Lopez.
The remark, accompanied by a knowing glance at the camera, quickly gained traction online.
Charli XCX rushed to Clairo's defence
After seeing the clip, Charli XCX privately messaged Clairo, writing, "Let's f**k her up," alongside a screenshot of the viral post.
Clairo later shared the exchange on social media, prompting thousands of reactions from fans, many of whom responded with pig and bacon-themed jokes.
PinkPantheress, whom Peppa had praised in the original video, also joined the conversation, posting a message supporting Clairo.
As the exchange continued, Clairo responded to the growing attention with humour, replying to posts before eventually telling followers, "ok that's enoughhhhh lolllllllllll."
Some fans joked that the viral moment was the perfect opportunity for the singer to announce new music, though Clairo replied that she did not have anything ready to share.
Her most recent album, Charm, was released in 2024, with its accompanying tour concluding in 2025.
Charli XCX keeps her focus on new music
While the online joke continued to gather momentum, Charli XCX did not publicly add to the exchange.
Instead, the singer has been focusing on promoting her upcoming album, Music, Fashion, Film, which is scheduled for release on July 24.
Although fans speculated that one of the track titles could be a playful nod to the viral exchange, there has been no indication that the album references the light-hearted social media moment.