Ramya at BIFFes: ‘Trolling Rashmika Mandanna has to stop…’

Ramya was a panelist at the ongoing Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) on March 6 for a session on Women in Cinema, during which she highlighted the pay disparity for men and women in films. Following the session, Ramya, who very rarely makes public appearances, spoke to the media that had gathered, and addressed the recurring trolling of Rashmika Mandanna.

Also read: Netizens rise to Rashmika Mandanna’s support as Kannada comedy show skit pokes fun at her 

Ramya: Women are trolled because they are soft targets

Coming to the Chhaava actresses support following reports that she refused to attend the opening ceremony of BIFFes, among others, Ramya said, “Female actors are often targeted and trolled. They say, ‘Oh she doesn’t know Kannada’ or ‘She can’t attend the film festival’. All of this should stop. This business of trolling has to stop; it is not good and it hurts the people involved. There is a lot of Rashmika Mandanna trolling that I have also come across; it is very bad. Stop trolling her; it is not good at all.”

Ramya added that the reason that women face most of the trolling is because they are soft targets and don’t react to it. “And hence, even more controversies get created around them. Not everyone may have the mental strength to face this incessant attack. Imagine the mental health of these heroines who are facing this trolling. It is easy to troll someone on social media, but imagine the plight of the person at the receiving end of it,” she said.

Also read: Rashmika Mandanna opens up on trolls and negativity on social media, says it’s heartbreaking and demoralizing 

During the panel discussion, Ramya had spoken about the lack of good roles for women and that her comeback has been delayed for the same reason. Highlighting how well Malayalam cinema handles characters across genders, she said that the Kannada industry ought to learn from their neighbours. She also added that her much-awaited comeback may soon happen, as she’s heard a story pitched by cinematographer Preetha Jayaraman, which she’s liked. “It’s still initial days. When the time’s right, I will officially announce it,” she said.