Pankhuri Awasthy is taking the massive trolling against her for her character getting close to Kartik (Mohsin Khan) in popular Star Plus show, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai (YRKKH), in her stride.
Vedika has entered as a third wheel in the romance between long-time on-screen married couple, Kartik and Naira (Shivangi Joshi).
The social media attacks on Pankhuri have become so intense that her co-stars (Niyati Joshi and Samir Onkar) have needed to step in and try to calm matters down. We wrote about the actors giving it back to the trolls yesterday. If you have missed it read it IWMBuzz.
Today we spoke to Pankhuri about the same and she seemed quite unmoved. “Why should I be afraid and behave differently, especially for something that is not me in real life. I also can’t do anything about the track as Pankhuri, can I?”
“While I get the fans’ hurt feeling, as they’ve been used to seeing Kartik and Naira together, these kind of comments are akin to cyber-bullying. You are not only talking bad about my personal life, but are even harassing my co-actors when they have come forward to defend me. This leaves a very bad taste in the mouth for everybody concerned.”
“I will not say it does not hurt, but then I have to be strong and take it in my stride. Even my better half, Gautam Rode, prefers to remain aloof, as these guys will just not listen to any reason or logic.”
“While I always expected a certain amount of backlash from fans, this level of anger/resentment is shocking,” says Pankhuri, who first gained name and fame as Razia Sultan. Her other shows have been Kya Qusoor Hai Amala Ka, Suryaputra Karn, etc.
She felt happy that her co-stars had tried to give their two pence in her favor. “For they were getting dragged in for no fault of theirs. This also shows artists’ solidarity and empathy.”
Could Mohsin and Shivangi not have stepped in to try to calm down their angry fans? “No, for they too have been at the receiving end of a lot of hate. It is sad that so many people are contributing to spread this negative emotion.”
“I just hope they stop. And you know what; their comments like, “we have made the show” etc. smack of ignorance and ego. Indian TV has been around for years and YRKKH has been a huge hit since 2009, when social media was just starting out. So guys, just pipe down.”
“While we all actors want the fans’ love and appreciation, this time they have gone beyond ethics and morals. Everything is in a state of flux now.”
Pankhuri, we feel for you. And yes, you are right that things will even out soon.
