BOMBAY TIMES (June 22, 2020)

On Saturday, Sonakshi Sinha revealed she has deactivated her Twitter account, to “stay away from negativity” and protect her sanity. In an Instagram post, she shared, “The first step to protecting your sanity is to stay away from negativity. And nowhere more of that than Twitter these days! Chalo, I’m off – deactivating my account. Bye guys, peace out.” This comes after Sushant Singh Rajput’s death by suicide last Sunday. The actor’s demise had ignited a debate on Bollywood’s treatment of those who are seen as “outsiders”, leading to many celebs being trolled. It is being speculated that this trolling could be the reason why Sonakshi, along with several other actors, left Twitter.

Aayush Sharma, who made his debut with LoveYatri, also deactivated his Twitter account, saying he “didn’t sign up for this nasty herd mentality”, while Zaheer Iqbal, who debuted with the Salman Khan-backed Notebook, tweeted “Goodbye Twitter” before deactivating his account. On the other hand, Saqib Saleem, in his last tweet, said that he is “breaking up with Twitter”, saying that “these last few days have forced me to realise that I don’t need this kind of energy in my life, where I wake up to hatred, where kindness is lost”, while thanking his followers for their support. Early this week, filmmaker Shashank Khaitan also quit the social media platform and called it a breeding ground for hate and negativity.

Sonakshi, Aayush and Zaheer, though still present on Instagram, have limited comments on their profile, along with others, such as Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonam K Ahuja, Ananya Panday and Alia Bhatt, among others.

Meanwhile, Karan Johar has unfollowed most people from the film fraternity on Twitter.
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Tired of endless bullying and trolling on Twitter, actors have left the platform in order to escape the negativity
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 22, 2020)

Twitter was abuzz on Saturday with as many as five actors deactivating their accounts citing negativity and social media toxicity that was bothering them. Sonakshi Sinha led the pack writing, “The first step to protecting your sanity is to stay away from negativity. And no where more of that than twitter these days!” Saqib Saleem was next to declare, “I’m Breaking Up with you Twitter”. In a lengthy post he wrote, “You seem to have gotten lost in all the hate everyone is so ready to throw at each other… I don’t need this kind of energy.” ‘Soon actors Aayush Sharma and Zaheer Iqbal followed suit. Sneha Ullal, too, hinted that she might also quit Twitter.

It all started when Kriti Sanon recently, lashed out at social media toxicity calling it “FAKEST. If you haven’t posted RIP or said something publicly, you’re considered not to be grieving”. She posted this after the death of her Raabta (2017) co-star Sushant Singh Rajput, post which, social media turned into a playground for trolls to bully Bollywood stars, blaming them for Rajput’s death.

A week ago, filmmaker Shashank Khaitan also deactivated his Twitter account, while filmmaker Karan Johar, who’s being massively trolled, after Rajput’s death, for promoting nepotistic culture in Bollywood, unfollowed everyone on Twitter, except eight handles.

A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD
Ad guru Prahlad Kakkar explains what social media toxicity entails. He says, “I’ve stayed away from social media because there’s a lot of negativity, and trolling. It has empowered a lot of useless people with an opinion, without any repercussions.”

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, 51, calls it a “double-edged sword”, especially for public figures wherein if they comment or post, or even if they don’t, nasty feedback comes their way. “Social media is toxic. You get rattled mercilessly, even a spelling mistake gets one trolled. You post something and think ‘maine barabar kiya na?’, and check again, because you fear being trolled,” he says.

TOO MUCH PRESSURE
Another trend on social media, is to expect celebrities to post about whatever is the current issue. Echoing the sentiments Sanon highlighted, Bhandarkar adds, “I agree with Kriti. When you are close to somebody who passed away, you’re not in the frame of mind to say anything, you lack words, and want to mourn. People expect you to tweet, that becomes validation of the fact that you grieved.”

CELEBS’ talk
Actor Nimrat Kaur says she has never been one to take any pressure. “Many times, I choose to be silent, and know that you don’t need to add to the chorus. I really don’t give a damn about what people think. I don’t write or post anything to garner a reaction, or to become part of the hashtag club,” she says.

Actor Amit Sadh, 37, on the other hand, feels social media also has parts that are not toxic. “Unfortunately, as human beings, when we’re engaged with provoking and uncomfortable things, it’s human psychology to want to shut the door, and call it toxic. You can always decide what part of social media you want to engage yourself in,” he says.

Vinita Chaturvedi (BOMBAY TIMES; March 20, 2016)

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 15, 2016)

Salman Khan is credited as the launchpad of several pretty faces, plucking them from obscurity and catapulting them to the big league. Strangely, most of them don’t seem to make the cut
Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; September 26, 2014)

Salman Khan has always been considered the film industry’s Good Samaritan and more famously, as a Bollywood ticket for newcomers. Apart from a handful of actors and musicians, he is said to have given the big break to as many as 11 actresses, even casting them in lead roles opposite him in different films. However, despite their splashing debuts, the starlets have struggled to find work in B-Town. The only exception is Katrina Kaif. hitlist turns the spotlight on some of the younger actresses, who faded no sooner than they were launched...


Elli Avram
Big break: Reality show, Bigg Boss 7
When she made her entry into the Bigg Boss 7 house, little did we know who she was, although she had her debut film, Mickey Virus, up for release. However, Salman seemed quite taken by her firang looks and would spare her the stick on the show. Tales of the Elli-Salman closeness grabbed headlines and prospects of a future film with the superstar was also flashed in the media. While Elli is said to have signed a film, the grapevine is abuzz about the duo making an outing on the silver screen very soon.


Sana Khaan
Big break: Jai Ho (2014)
She was another Bigg Boss contestant who had Salman pulling out all stops to make her comfortable (and blush!) on the show. Post her reality show stint, Sana made her Bollywood debut in Salman’s blockbuster, Jai Ho. Just before her film’s release, Sana was embroiled in a controversy surrounding an alleged kidnapping of a 15-year-old girl and she went underground. No prizes for guessing, Salman stood by her. Sana hasn’t signed any Bollywood film after Jai Ho.


Daisy Shah
Big break: Jai Ho (2014)
It doesn’t happen often that a background dancer is offered the lead role in a film, that too, opposite Salman Khan. The actor is said to have spotted Daisy during the a song shoot for Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005) and later when she was assisting choreographer, Ganesh Acharya. Though the actress hasn’t been seen in any Hindi film after Jai Ho, she will soon be seen in a Kannada film.


Hazel Keech
Big break: Bodyguard (2011)
Despite Kareena Kapoor playing the lead role opposite Salman in this 100-crore plus film, Hazel’s role in the film held significance as Bebo’s bestie. Thanks to the benevolent Salman, Hazel now sees her self receiving good offers from big banners. In the meanwhile, she continues to work in Telugu and Punjabi films.


Zarine Khan
Big break: Veer (2010) She had a dream debut but the success story isn’t worth sharing, more so because the film failed to set the box office coffers ringing. Rumours has it that Salman Khan was interested in her because she reminded him of his ex flame, Katrina Kaif, albeit a chubbier version. The actress was last seen in Housefull 2 and is now doing Tamil and Punjabi films.


Mahek Chahal
Big break: Wanted (2008) A regular face in Punjabi flicks, Mahek debuted with Nayee Padosan (2003) and did a few blink-and-miss roles in Hindi films until Salman offered her a role in Wanted and then another in Main Aurr Mrs Khanna (2009). Two years after that, Salman apparently recommended her name for the reality show, Bigg Boss. “Salman is a mentor and has always guided me about my negatives,” Mahek has said. Last we heard Mahek has turned designer and launched her own fashion label.


Sneha Ullal
Big break: Lucky: No Time For Love (2005)
After his break up with Aishwarya Rai, Salman noticed the doe-eyed college girl, a friend of his sister, and found that she bore an uncanny resemblance to his ex. And the next thing we know, the teenager was making her screen debut opposite Bhai in Lucky: No Time for Love After this utterly forgettable film, she vanished into thin air. Reportedly, Salman is helping her make a comeback. “I was too naive when I did that film. Now that I have done a couple of films in South, I am ready to come back here. Of late, he has been guiding me for it (comeback),” she has been quoted as saying earlier

Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 28, 2014) 

After making her debut at 17 opposite Salman Khan in Lucky: No Time for Love, Sneha Ullal vanished into thin air. But now, the Aishwarya Rai lookalike is gearing up for a second innings and Salman is taking a keen interest in her comeback.

A source revealed to Mirror, “Salman recently met Sneha during a CCL match. He has asked her to hit a suburban gym of his choice and also advised her to learn belly dancing to get back into shape. She is religiously following Sallu’s instructions, hoping she'll get second time lucky.”

Sneha confirmed the news, “Salman has stayed in touch. After Lucky: No Time For Love, I did several Telugu films which were great training. Now I’m ready for a second innings in Bollywood and Salman is helping me."

Will she be seen in a Salman starrer? Sneha clams up, “I cannot reveal anything as nothing is on paper yet. Wait for an official announcement.” 
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Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; January 28, 2014)

In the year 2005, actress Sneha Ullal made her debut with Salman Khan in Lucky: No Time For Love, only to follow it up with a couple of Hindi films. She then focussed on making a mark in south India by starring in Telugu films. Word has it that the actress is now keen to make a comeback in Bollywood. A source says that the actress, who made an appearance at the Mumbai Heroes vs Chennai Rhinos match over the weekend, will be given another chance by Salman Khan. “It was after a long time that Sneha was attending a social event in Mumbai. Like most of Salman’s discoveries, she made it a point to hang out with his friends and family. She gave him company throughout the event and stayed on till the match was over. One heard her telling people that Salman may re-launch her but we have no additional details,” adds the source.

Besides Sneha, Salman’s Jai Ho co-star Daisy Shah and actress Huma Qureshi too were present at the match.

“Salman was in a jovial mood when he arrived at the stadium. He shook a leg with Yo Yo Honey Singh. During this performance, he asked Sneha to join him on stage. She, however, declined his request,” says an onlooker at the event.

Salman’s manager didn’t reply to our messages.