A recent pre-release event for the film 'Dhandoraa' has sparked significant controversy and a crucial conversation about misogyny and online trolling in the Indian entertainment industry. The incident began when actor Sivaji made remarks about actresses and their dressing sense that were widely perceived as derogatory and sexist.
Backlash and a Strong Rebuttal
The actor's comments quickly drew sharp criticism from social media users and fellow industry professionals. Prominent actress and television host Anasuya Bharadwaj publicly slammed Sivaji for his misogynistic statements. However, after voicing her critique, a section of the audience redirected their anger towards Anasuya, subjecting her to intense trolling and personal attacks.
The trolling took a particularly nasty turn, focusing on age-shaming the actress. Trolls began referring to her with derogatory terms like "aunty." On Christmas Eve, Anasuya took to her official X (formerly Twitter) account to deliver a powerful and nuanced response to this harassment.
Anasuya's Powerful Response to Hypocrisy and Age-Shaming
In her post, Anasuya Bharadwaj directly called out the double standards at play. She pointed out that while the trolls disrespectfully called her "aunty," they used the respectful honorific 'garu' for Sivaji, despite him being the one who made the offensive comments. "And somehow, I am the hypocrite," she added, highlighting the inherent bias.
Anasuya did not shy away from addressing age and fitness openly. She stated, "I am 40. I think he is 54. Still, both of us take good care of our fitness and our 'glamour,' whether for our profession or for personal reasons." With this, she emphasized that age is not a determinant of one's professionalism or worth. She also took a subtle dig at the trolls, noting, "As for the people saying all this, they seem to be eternally young themselves—that’s a different topic altogether."
Expressing frustration at the futility of arguing with prejudiced mindsets, she wrote, "Anyway, no matter how much we speak, it feels like blowing a conch in front of someone who refuses to hear."
A Message of Resilience and Positivity
Despite facing a wave of negativity, Anasuya concluded her message on a note of strength and celebration. She wished her followers a "Merry Christmas!!" and encouraged them to enjoy good food and happy times with loved ones. She affirmed her unshakeable stance, writing, "I will always stand tall.. unbothered.. unaffected.. untouched..and strong."
She clarified that her stand was not just personal but was about advocating for a section of society whose voices have long been ignored. Ending with a defiant and popular phrase, she stated, "Aap Jalan barkaraar rakhna.. Hum Jalwa barkaraar rakhenge" (You keep your jealousy, we will keep our spark). This entire episode underscores the persistent challenges of gender bias and online harassment faced by women in the public eye, even when they call out regressive behavior.
