Now That Deepika Padukone Has Welcomed A Baby Girl, It's Time For Trolls To Zip It

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh became parents to a baby girl on September 8. But what happened between the months when the couple announced their pregnancy till now, is a lesson on what not to do as an online user.

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh became parents to a baby girl on September 8 with best wishes pouring in from everywhere. But what happened between the months when the couple announced their pregnancy till now, is a lesson on what not to do as an online user. The actress’ pregnancy became a subject of speculation and trolling, moment after she stepped out for the first time after announcing pregnancy. 

Deepika Padukone's baby bump was called "fake"

Deepika's every public appearance, after the announcement of her pregnancy, was subjected to intense scrutiny, with online critics questioning the authenticity of her baby bump. Self-proclaimed internet sleuths dissected her every move, analysing her walk, body posture, and bump shape, before hastily concluding that her pregnancy was fake. Even her outings were suspect, with some claiming they were staged to prove her pregnancy was real. Some theorised that she was using a surrogate, and the bump was merely a prop to conceal the truth. The situation took a disturbing turn when podcasts began discussing her pregnancy, inviting gynecologists to weigh in on her body and bump, with one doctor even suggesting that the bump could indeed be fake. 

The level of scrutiny reached absurd heights when a video of Deepika getting up from a sofa, during an event for Kalki 2898 AD, was dissected to examine how her bump changed shape. This obsessive behavior was not only gross and sad but also reeked of misogyny. What's even more disturbing is that the majority of these comments came from female users, who didn’t think twice to share their ridiculous opinions on Deepika's pregnancy. It's likely that many of these armchair experts have never experienced pregnancy themselves, and yet they felt entitled to dissect and analyse Deepika's body. Meanwhile, women who have actually gone through pregnancy and motherhood were probably too busy to indulge in such petty criticism. 

Also see: Deepika Padukone And Ranveer Singh's Pregnancy To Parenthood Journey In Pictures

How Deepika Padukone silenced her trolls

All the fake pregnancy theories were put to rest when Deepika Padukone uploaded stunning pictures of her maternity photoshoot, proudly showcasing her baby bump and silencing the trolls. However, the online critics didn't rest for long, finding a new reason to target Deepika. On the eve of her hospitalisation for delivery, Deepika and Ranveer visited the Siddhivinayak Temple to seek blessings, with Deepika looking graceful in a saree. She was then trolled for not wearing a mangalsutra during the temple visit. It's astonishing that Deepika faced criticism for something as trivial as her choice of jewelry, highlighting the nature of online harassment. 

Celebrities are constant target of trolling

This is not the first time a celebrity has been the target of constant criticism. They have long been subjected to the internet's unforgiving scrutiny and conspiracy theories. The internet is notorious for hastily forming opinions, both good and bad, and passing judgements on celebrities without considering the limited knowledge they have about their personal lives. This superficial understanding, obtained from external observations, often leads to extreme opinions. Ranbir Kapoor's comments about his married life are frequently met with skepticism, earning him a "red flag" label, while Virat Kohli is praised as a "green flag" simply for carrying shopping bags, which netizens assume belong to Anushka.  

Sitting behind a screen, it's easy to give opinions, criticise, and troll others, masquerading as an expert on all matters. However, declaring someone's pregnancy fake crosses a boundary into unparalleled cruelty. A woman navigating the most precious and vulnerable period of her life deserves compassion, not vicious scrutiny. Thoughtless comments can have a profound impact on mental health, and it's essential to consider the potential harm. 

Why Deepika Padukone deserves an apology

Deepika, having experienced the harsh realities of online trolling, likely chose to ignore the hurtful comments. However, not everyone possesses the same level of emotional strength. 

Imagine if someone of Deepika’s standing and support system can be subjected to relentless misogyny and such vicious trolling, it's chilling to think about the experiences of ordinary women who lack the same resources and strength.   

In a perfect world, Deepika Padukone's pregnancy would have been met with kindness and respect. In a marginally better world, Deepika Padukone would receive a collective apology from those who shamelessly trolled her throughout her pregnancy, doubting its validity. But sadly, we live in a world where Deepika will likely face another wave of trolling, perhaps over something as trivial as what she wore during her hospital discharge.