Celebrities falling prey to trolling on social media is commonplace. Recently, actor Tillotama Shome found herself at the receiving end of online abuse. She was called a ‘flop actor’ by a netizen. Instead of hitting back, Tillotama reacted in the most graceful manner. “A hater on social media called me a ‘flop actress who looks likes a maid’. Now how is that even mildly insulting, given my situation!?” She added the hashtag, ‘Dignity of labour’.
Tillotama’s tweet has caught the attention of actor Pooja Bhatt. She rose to her friend’s defence. She wrote in a tweet, “You are a star in the real sense..one whose light will illuminate the world through the work that you have done & the lives you have touched long after you have gone. Haters are akin to ‘dark matter’. They provide the gas & ensure the ones that provide light, remain bound.”
Tillotama’s fans also spoke up in her support. “You are an amazing actor. I love how you always bring out the essence of the character with your nuanced performance. I believe people who don’t know how to argue usually resort to attacks on someone’s appearance,” one person wrote. Another person agreed, “Ya. She is beautiful and pretty effing hot as well!”
Another Twitter user commented, “This pathetic attempt at the insult just shows one of the many ways caste intersects with class in modern India. Loved the dignity of your character in Sir! Big fan.” Tillotama responded, “Exactly!”
