Actor Nushrratt Bharuccha has spoken about the backlash he faced after a video he shared of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 victory celebrations went viral for the wrong reasons. The clip sparked controversy after social media users complained it contained “groaning” sound effects. Although the actor quickly removed the video, the incident continued to fuel debate and criticism online. Looking back on the episode, Nushratt admitted that the controversy left him focused and emotionally drained.Speaking to Hindustan Times about how the situation unfolded, the actor said he was shocked that a casual video turned into a huge controversy online.“Honestly, my reaction was disbelief. It was a normal, happy moment. I was watching the game at a friend’s house, and there was a puppy crying in the background. I felt assaulted by seeing something turn ugly, and how quickly it traveled. There is a strange helplessness in seeing a lie move faster than I could before I could make sense of it in my own life.” According to Nushrratt, what started as a celebratory message quickly turned into something he never anticipated.
The emotional impact of the reaction
The actor revealed that it was particularly difficult to see people attaching their name to something that had never happened to them. He described the experience as invasive and emotionally draining. Days after the controversy erupted, Nushrratt chose to stay away from social media, admitting that checking repeated reactions online only increased her anxiety.In the end, she said, she found comfort in focusing on the truth and trusting those who really knew her instead of engaging in all the accusations circulating on the Internet.Nushrratt shared that her family and friends were deeply affected by the controversy and rallied around her during the difficult time. “My family’s first instinct was to protect me, and my friends, including those at home and with the puppy, were wonderful. They were truly upset that something so innocent had been twisted, and they reminded me that everyone who cared knew exactly what happened.The actress added that at one point, her loved one seemed more disturbed by the situation than she was.
Nushrratt Bharuccha on choosing not to fight every online battle
Reflecting on the lessons learned from the experience, Nushrratt explained why she avoided responding to all comments and allegations.“What helped was reminding myself of the simple truth and being on my side, and relying on people who really know me. I also learned that responding to every comment just gives you oxygen, and that being quiet and then making a clear statement felt much healthier than fighting a thousand little battles.For the actress, maintaining perspective was more effective than constantly defending herself online.
Nushrratt Bharuccha’s message to trolls and netizens
The controversy has made Nushrratt aware of how quickly narratives can be manipulated online, especially when public figures are involved. However, he stressed that the experience will not take him out of social media or change his personality.“As a woman and as an audience, you realize that almost anything can be taken out of context and weaponized, even a crying puppy. But I don’t want the lesson to be ‘shrug yourself off’ or ‘stop living your life out loud’.”She also added, “I refuse to let trolls decide how much of myself I should show. Anyway, my real take is the people watching – check before you believe and remember there’s a human being on the other side of the screen. The onus should not be on the target alone to be careful, but on all of us to be reasonable and kind. Bullying disguised as opinion is still bullying.’
What’s next for Nushrratt Bharuccha
Professionally, Nushrratt was last seen in ‘Ufff Yeh Siyapaa’. She will next be seen in ‘Bun Tikki’ alongside Abhay Deol, Shabana Azmi and Zeenat Aman. While the controversy may dominate the headlines these days, the actress says the episode ultimately reinforced the importance of truth, support systems and not letting online negativity dictate your life.
