In a moment that has both amused and irritated social media users, Bollywood star kid Shanaya Kapoor stirred up a mild online storm with her cheeky comment about Vantara, the recently opened wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat. While visiting the massive wildlife park, Shanaya posted an Instagram story with the caption: “Gonna tell my kids this is Africa”, accompanied by pictures of giraffes, rhinos, and lush green enclosures.
Her offhand remark—”Africa is in Gujarat”—was meant to be humorous, perhaps a tongue-in-cheek reference to the stunning African wildlife now housed at Vantara. But as is often the case with celebrity statements, the internet had mixed reactions.
Vantara, an ambitious wildlife conservation and rescue project backed by the Reliance Foundation and Anant Ambani, has recently become a hot topic of discussion. Located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, this facility is home to dozens of rescued species from across the world, including African elephants, cheetahs, zebras, and more. It’s designed not only as a shelter but also as a conservation and rehabilitation center for abused or endangered wildlife. Since its public unveiling, it’s been receiving attention from environmentalists, celebrities, and influencers alike.
Shanaya Kapoor, who is preparing for her Bollywood debut and is known for her glamorous presence on social media, likely visited the park either as a guest or as part of a private visit, like many other public figures in recent weeks. Her comment, while clearly made in jest, ignited some criticism for its tone-deafness.
Some netizens found the caption funny and light-hearted, praising the beauty of the sanctuary and even agreeing that Vantara looked like an “Indian Africa.” Others, however, weren’t as forgiving. A few users accused Shanaya of oversimplifying the idea of Africa by reducing it to just wildlife. Others reminded her that Africa is a diverse continent with much more than just savannahs and animals.
Still, others defended her, arguing that the backlash was yet another example of celebrity over-policing. “She made a harmless joke about how realistic the sanctuary is. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill,” one fan wrote.
This incident once again highlights the fragile relationship between celebrities and their public image in the age of digital scrutiny. Whether it’s an innocent remark or a poorly thought-out comment, social media doesn’t easily let go of anything, especially when it comes from the privileged class of Bollywood insiders.
However, the bigger takeaway from this viral moment might be the unintended promotion of Vantara itself. With Shanaya’s post making rounds across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and meme pages, awareness about the sanctuary has only grown. Her comparison, controversial or not, draws attention to how well-developed and globally competitive Indian conservation efforts are becoming.
It’s also worth noting that Anant Ambani, who spearheaded the Vantara initiative, has frequently emphasized that the park’s primary purpose is not tourism but wildlife protection and rehabilitation. That being said, the luxurious design of the enclosures and the presence of exotic species from around the globe have inevitably turned it into a media sensation.
As for Shanaya Kapoor, this isn’t the first time a celebrity has said something offbeat on social media, and it certainly won’t be the last. Whether the comment will fade into oblivion or resurface during her film promotions remains to be seen. For now, she’s managed to do what many influencers aim for—get people talking.
In an era where digital attention is currency, maybe that cheeky Africa-in-Gujarat line wasn’t such a bad PR move after all.