Richa Chadha comes out in support of her 'Heeramandi' co-actor Sharmin Segal, says, 'It is okay to dislike but please do not troll'

The trolling has been severe enough that Sharmin Segal had to turn off the comments section on her Instagram account.

Richa Chadha has recently come out in support of her 'Heeramandi' co-star Sharmin Segal amidst a wave of heavy trolling and criticism. The backlash against Sharmin Segal, who is the niece of renowned filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, began following the release of 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar.' Despite being a much-anticipated web show, Sharmin’s performance did not sit well with many viewers, leading to an onslaught of negative comments and online harassment.

In a heartfelt defence, Richa Chadha took to her Instagram Stories to address the issue and urge the audience to offer constructive criticism rather than engage in unwarranted trolling. Chadha emphasized that while it is acceptable for audiences to express their dislike for a performance, the extent of the vitriol directed at Segal was excessive and harmful. “For the past month, whenever I have been able to keep track and vigilant enough, I have been deleting negative comments about my co-star that have been appearing in my comments. Guys? Offer constructive criticism, but this much visceral hate?” she wrote.

She further stated, “It’s one thing to reject someone’s performance, theek hai! Mat karo pasand, aapka haq hai. Par aise chatkare le ke troll to mat karo (It is okay to dislike because that is up to you but please refrain from adding so much trolling)? Please? Out-of-context interview clips (that too from a legit roast, y'all are using). Why?”

Moreover, Richa emphasised the impact such negative behaviour can have on an individual’s mental health. She urged her followers to consider the human being behind the performance and to be kinder in their expressions of criticism. “I know it’s tempting to jump on a trend, but to make another human being clickbait? I think we can all do better than that, be better than that. Be kind. Please. It can affect someone’s mental health,” she appealed.

The trolling has been severe enough that Sharmin Segal had to turn off the comments section on her Instagram account. Critics not only bashed her acting but also called out her demeanor in interviews with co-stars Aditi Rao Hydari and Sanjeeda Shaikh. Some even questioned whether her relationship with her uncle, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, played a role in her casting, further intensifying the scrutiny she faced.

Despite the criticism, 'Heeramandi' has been renewed for a second season, showing that the series, at large, has been well-received. The show features a star-studded cast, including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Prathibha Ranta, Adhyayan Suman, Farida Jalal, and Indresh Malik, among others.