Faced online abuse for years, but rape threats are a new low: Actor Ramya

Actor-politician Ramya has slammed fans of Kannada star Darshan for harassment on social media. On Monday (July 28, 2025), Ramya lodged a complaint with the Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru, against fans for online abuse.

A couple of days before her complaint, Ramya had shared news reports regarding Supreme Court proceedings in the murder case of Renukaswamy, in which Darshan is one of the accused persons. The actor spoke to The Hindu about being threatened by the fans, who also sent her “obnoxious” messages on social media.

Excerpts:

Online abuse of female actors is growing at an alarming rate…

Trolling and abusing female actors have become common because people aren’t speaking openly about it. Most women fear character assassination. They are not comfortable with the abuses they receive. Our self-respect and dignity are given importance in society because, as women, that’s how we have been raised. If women had the courage in the past to take the legal route, perhaps we wouldn’t be facing such a serious situation today.

For how long have you been receiving offensive messages online?

I have faced online abuse for years, but nobody had ever said “I want to murder you or rape you”. That’s what these fans are sending me now. People have called me a slut or a whore. I have gotten used to these kinds of comments, and that’s the sad part. Unfortunately, I have become immune to it. Imagine the trauma women carry by facing constant abuse online.

A couple of years ago, fans of two stars were targeting each other, and they commented badly about the children of one of the stars. I found it disgusting, and I put out the screenshots of those uncivilised messages on social media to expose these fans. The stars should have stepped in to bring some sense to their respective fans. Darshan should have said he doesn’t like such behaviour from his fans. Maybe then, the Renukaswamy incident might not have happened. He (Renukaswamy) was your fan, and this is the kind of behaviour you have encouraged. 

Actor-politician Ramya leaves after filing complaint at the Police Commissioner Office in Bengaluru on Monday, July 29, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
SUDHAKARA JAIN

What made you take a stand against Darshan in the Renukaswamy murder case?

Most women cannot afford legal fees in such battles. They can’t afford to put themselves out in public because they have a family to take care. They have confided this to me. Fortunately, I am in a position of privilege; I have been a former MP. I have been in politics, so I have the contacts and the support. I don’t want to deny that. That said, if I don’t use that privilege for something meaningful, I am letting down other women.

ALSO READ:Actor Ramya reacts to Darshan row: No one is above the law

Should stars advise fans to be socially responsible?

In the past, so many actors had registered fan clubs. Those clubs used to conduct blood donation camps and involve themselves in philanthropy. However, fan wars have become the norm now. This is why I am upset at those who remain silent about trolls and abuses. You think these fans are faceless and can’t go beyond their so-called bravado online, but they are actually capable of going on the roads and beating people who speak against their favourite stars.