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Dhurandhar’s Shararat song fame Ayesha Khan on getting rape threats: 'It is very scary'

Actor Ayesha Khan, recently seen in Dhurandhar song Shararat, revealed the struggles she faced early in her career and spoke about continuing online abuse, including receiving rape threats almost every day.

March 05, 2026 / 14:01 IST
Dhurandhar’s Shararat song fame Ayesha Khan on getting rape threats: 'It is very scary'
Snapshot AI
  • Ayesha Khan was dropped from a music video for being called "fat"
  • She faces daily online abuse and rape threats on social media
  • Despite challenges, Ayesha's acting career continues to grow

Actor Ayesha Khan, who recently drew attention with her appearance in the Dhurandhar song Shararat, has spoken candidly about the harsh realities she faced early in her career and the ongoing online abuse that still affects her today.

At the We The Women event, the actor revealed that she was once dropped from a major T-Series music video at the last minute because she was considered “fat”, an experience that deeply shook her confidence as a teenager.

Recalling the incident, Ayesha shared that it happened when she was still in Class 12 and just beginning to navigate the entertainment industry. She had already been finalised for the project and was preparing for the shoot when the decision was suddenly reversed. The reason given to her was blunt and deeply personal.

“They told me I was fat,” she said while recounting the moment that left a lasting impact on her self-esteem.

Ayesha admitted that the comment stayed with her for years and contributed to the pressure she felt to fit into the industry’s narrow expectations around appearance.

The actor said that constantly being judged for physical appearance slowly chipped away at her confidence. It took a long time for her to become comfortable with her own body and learn to ignore the unrealistic standards often imposed on women in the industry.

However, Ayesha revealed that body shaming was only one part of a much darker reality. She also spoke about the disturbing level of harassment she faces online, particularly on social media platforms.

“It’s very scary,” she said, referring to the abusive messages that regularly appear in her inbox and comment sections.

According to Ayesha, the harassment often takes a sexualised tone, regardless of what she posts. She explained that even simple photos or updates can attract explicit and degrading comments, making her think twice before sharing anything online.

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More troublingly, she disclosed that rape threats have become an almost daily occurrence. Ayesha stressed that these are not vague internet trolls but real individuals typing these threats from behind their screens.

“Because you are a potential rapist if you had the strength,” she said, highlighting the dangerous mindset behind such comments.

The constant exposure to abuse has forced the actor to develop a cautious relationship with social media. She admitted that she often feels like she is walking a “very thin line” between expressing herself freely and protecting her mental well-being.

Despite these challenges, Ayesha's career has continued to grow steadily. She began working as a junior artist before landing roles on television, including appearances in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, produced by Ekta Kapoor, and Baalveer Returns.

She later moved into films with the Telugu project Mukhachitram and gained wider recognition after participating in Bigg Boss 17, hosted by Salman Khan. Since then, she has appeared in projects such as Dil Ko Rafu Karr Lei, the Dhurandhar song Shararat, and most recently Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, continuing to build her presence in the industry despite the obstacles she faced early on.

Vaishnavi Gavankar is a senior entertainment journalist with over 8 years of experience covering Bollywood, Television, OTT platforms, and regional cinema.
first published: Mar 5, 2026 02:01 pm

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