Umar Riaz backs Asim Riaz, slams Paras Chhabra over conversion row
Synopsis
The Asim Riaz–Himannshi Khurrana fallout has pulled in a new voice: brother Umar Riaz, who took to social media to accuse 'Podcaster X' — widely read as Paras Chhabra — of using religion as bait to defame. With Himannshi claiming she holds CCTV footage and recordings, this celebrity dispute is fast becoming a messier public confrontation than either side likely intended.
Key Takeaways
Umar Riaz posted on social media on 25 August backing brother Asim Riaz and accusing an unnamed party of using religion to defame.
He referred to podcast host Paras Chhabra as 'Podcaster X', adding a pig emoticon — stopping short of a direct named attack.
Himannshi Khurrana alleged during a Paras Chhabra podcast that she felt pressured to change her religious practices during her relationship with Asim Riaz .
Asim denied ever asking anyone to change their religion, calling the allegations a weaponisation of faith.
Himannshi claims to hold CCTV footage and recordings as evidence, and has additionally alleged violence during the relationship.
The couple met on Bigg Boss 13 and parted ways in 2023 .
Actor Umar Riaz has publicly backed his brother Asim Riaz amid an escalating controversy involving Asim's former girlfriend Himannshi Khurrana and allegations centred on religious conversion. Umar's defence came through a social media post on 25 August, in which he accused an unnamed individual of weaponising religion to defame others.
What Umar Riaz Said
Without naming anyone directly, Umar shared a post with the caption: 'Using RELIGION as a BAIT to DEFAME someone!' followed by the words 'SHAME ON YOU!' He appeared to take aim at actor and podcast host Paras Chhabra — the person from whose podcast the controversy originated — referring to him as 'Podcaster X' and accompanying the reference with a pig and a laughing emoticon. The post stopped short of a direct named attack but left little ambiguity about its target.
How the Controversy Began
Asim Riaz and Himannshi Khurrana met during Bigg Boss 13 and were in a relationship that ended in 2023, with religious differences cited as a contributing factor. The dispute resurfaced after Himannshi appeared on a podcast hosted by Paras Chhabra, where she alleged that during their relationship she had felt pressured to alter aspects of her faith and religious practices.
Asim denied the allegations in an Instagram post, writing: 'I never asked anyone to change their religion. Not once.' He accused the other side of using religion as a weapon and also directed criticism at Chhabra on social media.
Himannshi's Counter-Claims
Himannshi subsequently responded, stating she has evidence to support her account — including, she claimed, CCTV footage and recordings. She said she would no longer remain silent and additionally alleged that she had faced violence during the relationship. These are allegations; Asim has not publicly responded to the violence claim as of the time of reporting.
The Broader Fallout
The episode has drawn significant public attention, partly because it involves a sensitive religious dimension and partly because the principals are familiar faces from reality television. Notably, the controversy illustrates how podcast platforms have become amplifiers for celebrity disputes that might otherwise have remained private. With Himannshi asserting she holds documentary evidence, the public back-and-forth is unlikely to conclude soon. Both sides are expected to address the matter further on their respective social media channels.
Point of View
Dormant for two years, is now a full-blown public confrontation because a platform gave one party an audience. Umar Riaz's intervention, deliberately coded (no direct names, but unmistakable targets), is calibrated to generate sympathy without legal exposure. The more consequential development is Himannshi's claim of documentary evidence including CCTV footage and recordings: if substantiated, that shifts the story from a 'he said, she said' dispute to something with potential legal dimensions. Mainstream coverage has focused on the religious angle; the violence allegation deserves equal scrutiny.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Umar Riaz post on social media about the Asim Riaz controversy?
Umar Riaz posted on 25 August to defend his brother Asim Riaz against allegations of pressuring Himannshi Khurrana to change her religion. He accused an unnamed party — widely interpreted as Paras Chhabra — of using religion as bait to defame someone, writing 'SHAME ON YOU!' in his post.
What did Himannshi Khurrana allege about Asim Riaz?
Himannshi alleged during a podcast hosted by Paras Chhabra that during her relationship with Asim she felt pressured to alter aspects of her faith and religious practices. She later also alleged that she faced violence during the relationship and claimed to have CCTV footage and recordings as evidence.
How did Asim Riaz respond to the conversion allegations?
Asim Riaz denied the allegations in an Instagram post, stating: 'I never asked anyone to change their religion. Not once.' He accused the other side of weaponising religion and also criticised Paras Chhabra on social media.
Who is Paras Chhabra and what is his role in this controversy?
Paras Chhabra is an actor and podcast host on whose show Himannshi Khurrana discussed her past relationship with Asim Riaz, triggering the current public dispute. Both Asim and Umar Riaz have directed criticism at Chhabra, accusing him of exploiting a sensitive topic for views.
When did Asim Riaz and Himannshi Khurrana break up?
Asim Riaz and Himannshi Khurrana, who met during Bigg Boss 13, ended their relationship in 2023. Religious differences were cited as one of the reasons for the breakup.
