Snehashish roy
Veteran actor Anupam Kher has strongly criticised the growing culture of online trolling and negativity surrounding Bollywood, saying the environment has become so toxic that people in the film industry are now afraid to even celebrate openly.
Speaking during a recent interaction after being honoured at the UK Asian Film Festival, the actor reflected on how social media outrage and constant public judgement have changed the atmosphere within the Hindi film industry over the years.
According to Kher, Bollywood’s once-vibrant social culture has faded significantly because celebrities today constantly fear criticism, trolling and online backlash over even harmless celebrations or gatherings.
“We don’t have Bollywood parties anymore because people are afraid to even celebrate,” Anupam said while discussing how negativity on social media has deeply affected the industry.
The actor explained that the intense scrutiny faced by celebrities today creates an atmosphere where public figures are constantly worried about being judged or misunderstood online. According to him, even ordinary moments of happiness can quickly become targets for criticism and controversy.
Kher’s comments come at a time when Bollywood continues to deal with increasing online trolling, boycott campaigns and “cancel culture” debates. Over the last few years, actors, filmmakers and even films themselves have repeatedly faced social media outrage over political opinions, interviews, old comments, film content or personal behaviour.
The actor suggested that this growing negativity has slowly damaged the industry’s sense of community and spontaneity. Bollywood parties and social gatherings, once considered major parts of film culture, are now reportedly much less frequent and more guarded than before.
Anupam also spoke about how the fear of being criticised online affects emotional well-being. While acknowledging that public figures naturally face attention, he implied that social media has amplified hostility to unhealthy levels.
The actor’s remarks have resonated with many people in the entertainment industry who have repeatedly spoken about online toxicity in recent years. Several Bollywood stars, including Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, have previously discussed the emotional impact of constant trolling and digital outrage.
Social media users reacted strongly to Kher’s latest comments. While many agreed with his observations and said trolling has become excessively aggressive, others argued that celebrities are simply facing accountability and criticism more openly today than in earlier decades.
Supporters of Anupam Kher said the actor was highlighting a genuine problem affecting not just Bollywood but society more broadly. Several users pointed out that online spaces increasingly reward outrage, mockery and negativity, making public figures vulnerable to relentless judgement.
Some users also linked Kher’s comments to the larger shift in Bollywood’s public image after the pandemic and the rise of boycott trends. Over the past few years, hashtags targeting films and actors have repeatedly trended online before movie releases, often influencing public narratives around projects.
The actor himself has experienced trolling from different ideological groups over the years because of his outspoken political opinions and public statements. Despite this, Kher has consistently maintained an active presence on social media and frequently engages with national and cultural debates.
Interestingly, this is not the first time Anupam Kher has spoken about trolling culture. In earlier interviews too, the actor admitted that online attacks can sometimes be upsetting but insisted he would not stop expressing his views publicly.
Kher also reflected during the recent interaction on representing India internationally through cinema and cultural events. The actor was honoured at the UK Asian Film Festival for his long contribution to Indian cinema and global storytelling.
The 71-year-old actor remains one of Indian cinema’s most prolific performers, with a career spanning more than four decades and over 550 films across Hindi and international cinema. From Saaransh and Ram Lakhan to A Wednesday, Special 26 and The Kashmir Files, Kher has built one of Bollywood’s most diverse filmographies.
Recently, the actor has also been vocal about the changing nature of the film industry and audience behaviour. In another interview earlier this month, Kher spoke about continuing to challenge himself creatively even after decades in cinema, saying he does not “carry the burden of Anupam Kher” on his shoulders.