Vijay Deverakonda confronts manufactured hate at Ranabaali trailer launch
· Entertainment · Indian Express, Pinkvilla
At the Ranabaali trailer launch in Hyderabad on October 8, 2026, Vijay Deverakonda addressed seven years of online trolling, describing the hostility as coordinated campaigns rather than genuine audience sentiment. The actor refused to alter his personality or career path, stating he would not stop his work despite criticism since his Arjun Reddy success. He distinguished what he faces as 'manufactured hate' from real audience negativity, citing groups operating 20 to 50 accounts each sharing identical content. Deverakonda questioned what he should do if his confidence is mistaken for pride and his journey makes certain people uncomfortable or jealous.
Why it matters
Deverakonda's stance challenges the expectation that public figures must modify their behaviour to appease coordinated online campaigns, potentially setting a precedent for how film stars address sustained digital harassment. His comments highlight the growing tension between celebrity outspokenness and the toxicity of manufactured social media campaigns targeting film content.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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