Bigg Boss OTT is over, but the online attacks on the contestants haven’t. Bollywood singer Neha Bhasin may not have won the trophy but she surely was the star of the show and the most talked-about contestant this season. However, Neha’s closeness with fellow contestant Pratik Sehajpal raised eyebrows and the singer was subjected to massive trolling.
Neha Bhasin says part of her wanted to die
Recently, Neha took to Instagram stories and shared how she felt when she learnt that not just her but her entire family including her husband Sameer Uddin and mother were also getting brutally trolled. Her post read, “Honest to God, the morning after I got out. Read all the negativity, heard the trolling against Sameer, mom, my sister and brother, a part of me wanted to really die. I felt that darkness again. But my family’s love, Sameer’s calmness and support, Bling’s (her dog) kisses, Mummas constant calling and loud positive support of my fans resurrected me. If you think negativity and trolling and constant commenting is right then, my favorite line from an old song, ‘Aise jahan se kyun hum dil lagaye’. If liars, plotters, people who bitched and played with each other’s minds were accepted then all I can say is (thumbs up emoji). Am all about love and till my last breath I shall be (sic).”
Online attacks added to her pain and darkness
In the past, Neha had opened up about how she battled with mental health issues in her personal and professional life. She stressed on how the recent online attacks have only added to all her pain and darkness.
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Talking about her bond with Pratik that was under scrutiny 24×7, she told ETimes TV, “Nobody saw how we supported each other and stood by each other. We never let it affect our friendship. We got nominated for each other, we wiped each other’s tears. Whenever I was targeted, he protected me. Nobody saw all this. I am still not able to understand where we went wrong, that people are just focusing on one thing in our journey. That I find very painful. And from all this I can only understand that I am being punished for being a woman who’s married, and ended up having a bond with a man. I don’t understand why this is such a big deal and why it is such a negative thing.”
Pratik Sehajpal requests fans to not blame Neha
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Pratik also defended Neha and penned a note on Instagram that read, “Guys I have one request to all of you who love me and support me. Please don’t say anything wrong to Neha. Don’t blame her because I was also equally involved in everything and I accept it but she has been a true and honest friend for me and has unconditionally and honestly stood up for me and that means a lot to me. It was a pure and true friendship and true emotions were involved.”
The impact of social media abuse on mental health
Image Credit: Bigg Boss, Endemol Shine India
Not to mention, the ‘Dhunki’ singer has been the most free-spirited woman on Bigg Boss who wore her heart on her sleeve. Unfortunately, she has been the target of a relentless barrage of abuse and trolling on social media for being herself. Her only fault? She’s married and yet developed a bond with a man, a bond of friendship. The outcome of social media abuse and bullying can have a serious impact on mental health resulting in depression, suicidal-tendency and anxiety. A pertinent question arises that is it really that hard to not be bitter and critical in our judgments? Is it too hard to not draw assumptions and be human and empathetic?
Lead Image Credit: Bigg Boss, Endemol Shine India
