Bollywood actor Gautami Kapoor has publicly addressed the intense online backlash and personal attacks she endured following remarks made on a podcast about her parenting approach. The controversy, which erupted months after the podcast was recorded, left the actor emotionally drained and seeking refuge from social media toxicity.
The Unexpected Storm Over a Personal Comment
Gautami Kapoor, recently seen in the film De De Pyaar De 2 alongside Ajay Devgn and Rakul Preet Singh, found herself at the centre of a social media firestorm. The issue stemmed from a comment she made during a podcast conversation about her openness with her 16-year-old daughter, Sia Kapoor. The actor clarified that her words were never intended as universal parenting advice, but rather a reflection of her unique relationship with her child.
"It came completely out of the blue," Gautami told News18, expressing her bewilderment. She revealed that the podcast was recorded four and a half months prior, and the controversy surfaced unexpectedly much later. "I have not made a generalised comment and I didn't say that every mother should do it," she asserted, questioning why she was forced to justify a personal conversation about her own daughter.
Emotional Toll and Family as a Shield
The vitriol from online trolls took a severe toll on Gautami's mental well-being. She admitted to experiencing a depressed state of mind after reading the hateful comments flooding her Instagram feed. The situation led to sleepless nights and a sense of disbelief that people could direct such venom towards another person.
Overwhelmed by the negativity, the actor made the decision to disappear from Instagram for nearly a month to escape the constant barrage of abuse. During this difficult period, she found strength and perspective from her family. Her husband, actor Ram Kapoor, encouraged her to speak out, while her daughter, who lives in the United States, provided a calming influence.
"Her friends sent some reels to her, she told them, 'What's the big deal?'" Gautami shared, recounting her daughter's reaction. Sia advised her mother to "chill" and reminded her that the uproar was confined to social media, where people would soon move on to the next topic.
Choosing Silence Over Adding to the Toxicity
Despite having a lot to say in her defence, Gautami Kapoor consciously chose to remain silent in the public sphere initially. She explained that this decision was a direct effort to avoid fuelling further negativity and to extract herself from the toxic environment the controversy had created.
She emphasised that her parenting style, developed jointly with Ram Kapoor, is based on an open bond with their children. She respects that others may disagree with their approach but firmly believes that it is a personal choice. "They are entitled to their opinion like I am entitled to mine. It's as simple as that," she stated, while also questioning why her children were dragged into the controversy through personal attacks.
The entire episode highlights the harsh realities of online culture, where offhand comments from personal conversations can be taken out of context and weaponised, causing significant emotional distress to public figures and their families.
