The last few months saw many calls for boycott emerge online, prior to the release of several major Hindi films. But, actor Shruti Haasan feels the cancel culture that is prevalent today is an extension of what’s happening in society, and not just restricted to the film industry.

“It’s not just films,” she points out, adding, “I am trying to understand where this is coming from, why this is happening. There are many layers to it. We all need to take a step back and understand why those people are losing it. Nothing what we see is what it appears to be.”

Haasan, who came out with a single, She is a Hero, recently, believes that what’s happening is essentially “bullying”. “The cancel culture is an extension of bullying, exposing or attacking with a group of people, digging up words from the past. We are seeing it because of the film industry, but people need to realise that the culture online is a representation of what’s happening in society.”

The 36-year-old, too, is no stranger to vicious attacks online, and has often been on the receiving end of terms such as ‘chudail’ (witch).

“Everyone is like, ‘Tu chudail jaise kapde kyun pehenti hai?’ And I respond saying, ‘Oh my God, I am a chudail?’ Appearing like a witch is like the coolest thing for a goth on this planet! To turn it (hate) around and make it positive for yourself is important,” says the actor, who will next be seen in the film Salaar.