Pooja Hegde Exposes the Dark Side of the Glamour Industry

In a recent interview, actress Pooja Hegde shed light on the harsh realities of the entertainment industry, particularly the targeted trolling faced by female stars. While social media trolling—often fueled by paid campaigns—has typically been associated with big male stars, Pooja revealed that actresses are not exempt from this toxic trend.

She shared that she has been subjected to intense online trolling, orchestrated as part of a paid campaign. The film industry has long been dominated by male actors, with scripts primarily written to highlight their roles. However, it is undeniable that female stars also contribute significantly to a film’s success, drawing audiences to theaters.

With a limited number of leading heroines in the industry, competition is fierce. Unlike male actors, who often have roles tailored to their strengths, actresses rarely get characters written specifically for them. This competitive environment can sometimes lead to professional rivalries, which, in turn, may fuel targeted negativity.

The practice of running smear campaigns against actresses—through PR agencies that circulate negative content, memes, and criticism—is a growing trend, particularly in North Indian cinema, and is now making its way into the South. While many actresses are aware of this damaging trend, they often choose to remain silent about it.

With Pooja Hegde speaking up, it opens the door for a larger conversation on the issue. Hopefully, her revelation will spark a much-needed debate about the toxic culture of targeted trolling and the need for a fairer industry.