'Horrible': Aditi Rao Hydari on 'Heeramandi' co-star Sharmin Segal's trolling
What's the story
Aditi Rao Hydari, recognized for her role as Bibbojaan in the recent series Heeramandi, has publicly defended her co-star Sharmin Segal amid raging criticism.
In a recent interview with YouTuber Puja Talwar, she addressed the backlash against Segal.
She condemned the trolling, stating it was "horrible to pick on anybody" and called for more positivity and mutual support.
The series premiered on Netflix earlier this month.
Facing backlash
Background: Criticism faced by Segal for 'Heeramandi'
Segal, the niece of filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, has been under fire for her performance as Alamzeb.
A large number of viewers on social media have called her "expressionless" and asked her to "learn acting."
Following the criticism, she disabled comments on her Instagram account.
While speaking to the BBC Asian Network podcast recently, she spoke about the trolling, saying that she is a "realist."
Defense
Here's more of what Rao Hydari said
Rao Hydari said, "I know some people like something and some people don't. There is a way to say it. It can get very mean. It has gotten very mean and I think it's not fair and it shouldn't happen like that."
"I don't know what else to say but I do feel bad. I think we should all understand it and be there for each other."
"If some people want to be mean, that is their prerogative."
Supporting Segal
'Heeramandi' co-star Rajat Kaul also supported Segal
Rajat Kaul, another co-star from Heeramandi, has also voiced his support for Segal against online trolls.
In an interview with India Today, Kaul criticized the "frivolous" and "shallow" remarks by internet trolls.
"After all, what one criticizes in others often reflects something within themselves. There is no control on that. It is their state of mind, and it has nothing to do with Sharmin or anybody else who goes through all of that."
The show
Know more about the show
Centered on the backdrop of the Indian independence movement in the 1940s, Heeramandi delves into the stories of tawaifs residing in Lahore's red-light district, Heera Mandi.
The series features a stellar cast including Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Sonakshi Sinha.
The male ensemble features Taha Shah Badussha, Shekhar Suman, Fardeen Khan, and Adhyayan Suman in supporting roles.