Teenage Bollywood actor faces vicious social media abuse and no one knows why
She's sixteen, talented, newly famous. And unfortunately, facing vile abuse on social media.
Zaira Wasim, the young actor who dazzled audiences with her flawless debut in Dangal — India's highest-grossing film ever — posted an inexplicable "confession/apology" on Facebook last night.
And then, she deleted it in no time.
SEE ALSO: 'Dangal' becomes the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time
Not before screenshots had been taken though.
Shocking open letter by #Dangal actress @zairawasim apologizing for her work. Was she harassed and threatened by the extremists in #Kashmir? pic.twitter.com/cHl2HhkzA2
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) January 16, 2017
Her note reeks of fear and coercion. And sadly, submission too. She says she is "sorry for what I did" and wants to "make it very clear that I do not want anyone to follow in my foot steps or even consider me as a role model."
What has she "done"? No one knows. Yet.
But there's enough conjecture.
Going by the comments surfacing on social media, she's either being bullied for meeting Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister (CM) Mehbooba Mufti or being criticized for her supposedly "un-Islamic" act of joining films.
Scores of abusive comments have flooded her Facebook page.
This is the filth people filled up the comments section with, on a Facebook post about #Dangal star @zairawasim meeting @MehboobaMufti pic.twitter.com/CEM60KrXo9
— Swati Goel Sharma (@swati_gs) January 16, 2017
She's apparently being vilified for this meeting with the state CM.
Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti today meets young Kashmiri girl @ZairaWasim who is playing the role of Aamir khan's dangal. pic.twitter.com/Bsa6SVar0C
— Srinagar Times (@SrinagarTimes_) January 14, 2017
However, there's a silver lining. Almost.
The hate comments have been outnumbered by the empathetic ones. All sections of Indian society from politicians and media-persons to film personalities and sportsmen, and of course, the masses have come out in loud support of the Kashmiri actor.
Noted among them is a comment from former Jammu & Kashmir CM and Mufti's political rival, Omar Abdullah.
I've a problem with @MehboobaMufti trying to userp other peoples success to cover up her own failures but why punish/troll people she meets?
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) January 16, 2017
Support from the film industry has been noticeable too, with Dangal's lead actor Aamir Khan releasing a Twitter statement this afternoon, appealing "everyone to leave her alone".
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) January 17, 2017
Some veteran actors have insisted that Wasim is their "role model".
Dear @zairawasim! Ur apology letter is sad but full of courage. It exposes d cowardice of people who made u write it.But u r my #RoleModel. pic.twitter.com/fCF2zlzvzC
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) January 16, 2017
And some others have reminded her that she didn't need to apologize.
Those who shout AZADI from the roof tops don't give an iota of AZADI to others .Poor Zaira Waseem had to apologies for her success Shame !!
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) January 16, 2017
#ZairaWasim u dont need 2 apologise 2 faceless losers. They r narrow minded cowards. U ARE a role model for ALL young girls & u shud b proud
— Swara Bhaskar (@ReallySwara) January 16, 2017
The youths of #Kashmir should come out on the streets & and announce that we don't want to be stone throwers but achievers like @zairawasim
— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) January 16, 2017
"Leave her alone." Yes, please!
She is Sixteen, Going on Seventeen.. & this is the Sound of Bullying. So very CRUEL what @zairawasim has been put through. LEAVE HER ALONE
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) January 16, 2017
This Indian poet recalled a similar incident from 2013 when an all-girl band in Kashmir had been issued a fatwa for playing music.
Chilled to the bone, also, by the cadences of @zairawasim's 'apology': it reads like a heretic's forced recantation in mediaeval Europe.
— Ranjit Hoskote (@ranjithoskote) January 16, 2017
Thinking of #ZairaWasim, I think also of Pragaash, the Srinagar girl band that was silenced in 2013. Women suffer more in the culture wars. pic.twitter.com/TuXu7MCeu0
— Ranjit Hoskote (@ranjithoskote) January 16, 2017
Sportspeople, including Indian wrestler Geeta Phogat, whose role Wasim essayed in Dangal, have voiced their support and concern.
#ZairaWasim we are proud of you dear don't worry and stand strong 💪🏻👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/6bHQZHXou9
— geeta phogat (@geeta_phogat) January 16, 2017
Men will be men. Insecure 2 see a girl like @zairawasim get wings. Sadly we think "Maahri Choriyan AAJ B Choron se kum hain." @aamir_khan
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) January 17, 2017
Mass support continues to pour in as people tweet with the hashtag #StandWithZaira.
#ZairaWasim you don't owe it to anyone. You have made all of us proud by your sheer talent & hard work. You need not to be apologetic. Bravo pic.twitter.com/QiMgTblFkq
— Mubassir Latifi مبصر (@Mubassir_Latifi) January 16, 2017
It must take extra courage to go after a 16 year old debutante. @zairawasim, you're awesome and don't let this get to you
— Tanmay Bhat (@thetanmay) January 16, 2017
Shocking & unfair that 16-year-old Dangal actor Zaira Wasim forced to apologise by trolls. She met the CM, not Hafiz Saeed! #StandWithZaira
— Sayoni Aiyar (@sayoniaiyar) January 16, 2017
Why should a talent be suppressed, abused, trolled and made to apologise. On @zairawasim some answers I need from kashmiris. #Kashmir pic.twitter.com/3RFsScAnU7
— Sajid Yousuf (@sajid_Yousuf_) January 16, 2017
Zaira Wasim is a talented young girl to who has brought laurels to her community. She ought to be celebrated not demeaned #StandWithZaira
— Shakir Mir (@shakirmir) January 16, 2017
