Marathi Actress Girija Oak Reflects on the Whirlwind of Sudden Viral Fame
Marathi actress Girija Oak, who recently captivated audiences with her simple blue saree look and candid conversational videos, has broken her silence on the unexpected whirlwind of sudden fame that has engulfed her life. In a revealing new interview, the actress shared her astonishment at becoming an overnight internet sensation, her family's amusing reaction, and the troubling side effects that accompany viral popularity.
'I Had No Idea': Oak on Becoming an Overnight Favourite
Addressing the massive public response to her videos, Girija Oak told The Lallantop, "I had no idea something like this was going to happen." She expressed genuine amusement at the reactions flowing her way, particularly the sudden flood of direct messages that flooded her social media accounts. The actress shared a particularly memorable DM where someone wrote, 'Will you be my babes, ma'am?' noting the strange combination of approach and respect in the message.
Girija also reflected on the contradictory ways people perceive her online persona. "There's a divide—whether to respect this personality or sexualise it," she observed, highlighting the interesting positioning that comes with viral fame.
Family Entertainment and a Son's Concern
Fortunately, Girija revealed that her husband and entire family have taken the sudden craze in good sport. "Fortunately, my whole family belongs to this field," she explained, noting that reading strange comments or viral news isn't new territory for them. Rather than being offended, the family found the entire situation amusing.
Her son was away on a school trip during the peak of her virality, and when she picked him up, even other parents were buzzing about the phenomenon. When her son eventually asked about the situation, she tried explaining the concept of virality to him, describing it as a wave that keeps growing and snowballs into something bigger. His response was both humorous and insightful: "So will you change now? The old you is gone? Is this Girija 2.0? Should I talk to you properly now?" The actress reassured him that nothing fundamental had changed.
The Dark Side of Viral Fame: Morphed Images and Disturbing Messages
However, with fame came a darker reality that Girija felt compelled to address. Morphed and sexualised images of her began circulating online, with some photos edited to make her clothes disappear and videos showing her doing strange things she never actually did. She expressed concern that this digital footprint would remain on the internet forever, something her son would eventually encounter when he starts using social media.
Girija strongly addressed comments from people questioning why she objected to morphed images when she has done intimate scenes onscreen. "There's a difference between what I choose to do and what is done without my consent," she asserted, emphasizing the importance of understanding women's agency. "If I want to hold someone's hand, it doesn't mean anyone can hold mine."
The actress also revealed some of the more disturbing DMs she receives, including one person who asked her "Ek ghanta bitaane ki keemat kya hai" (What is the price for spending an hour). She pointed out how online anonymity gives people courage they wouldn't have in real life, noting that if these same people saw her in person, they wouldn't even look up.
Despite these challenges, Girija expressed gratitude for the overwhelming love coming her way and maintained her sense of perspective. She laughed off the "national crush" label, noting that it hasn't translated into extra work opportunities. True to her grounded nature, she was already in Puducherry on a planned surfing trip when the fame hit, continuing to pursue her love for water and learning new skills.
