Actors Are The Easiest Targets: Kriti Sanon Hits Back at Trolls
Kriti pointed that the constant scrutiny women face over their appearance, clothing and personal lives
Actress Kriti Sanon has opened up about the online backlash she faced earlier this year over a Raksha Bandhan advertisement for jewellery brand GIVA, saying that actors are often the easiest targets for social media trolling. She also revealed that the controversy went beyond her, with trolls posting abusive comments on her mother’s and sister’s social media accounts.
Kriti faced severe criticism for wearing a revealing outfit in the campaign, with some social media users arguing that her plunging neckline was inappropriate for an advertisement associated with the traditional festival. Months later, the actress revisited the controversy in the second episode of Kareena Kapoor Khan’s What Women Want Season 6.
Speaking about the backlash, Kriti said the issue was much bigger than her personal experience, pointing to the constant scrutiny women face over their appearance, clothing and personal lives.
“Normally, I don’t say anything. I felt it (the Rakhi ad controversy) was not about me; it was a much larger issue where I feel women are constantly under scrutiny for everything. It is only women who are targeted for the smallest thing. What you want to wear, she is too short or tall, oh, is she pregnant… what is going on? It is just my opinion,” she said.
The actress was particularly disturbed by the abusive comments directed at her family members. She questioned the hypocrisy of people who spoke about culture and respect while using offensive language against her mother and sister.
“What is with the hate? I don’t read comments under posts, but I feel that sometimes people get so nasty. Those who talk about culture and respect were ironically the ones who commented on my parents’ and sister’s posts in the nastiest, abusive language. What have they done?” she asked.
Kriti revealed that her sister had advised her to turn off the comments, but she questioned why she should have to take that step. She also stressed the importance of women standing up for themselves rather than allowing online abuse to dictate their choices.
“Actors are the easiest targets. It has happened with multiple people, and we are just human, and it also affects us. I feel very strongly about the gender inequality that exists, and the patriarchy that is embedded so deeply. We need to shatter it multiple times for it to break,” she concluded.