Pooja Hegde has recently addressed the issue of online trolling, revealing that she now views "paid trolls" as a form of compliment. The actress has been vocal about facing targeted negativity and what she describes as "paid PR" campaigns designed to undermine her.
In various interviews, Hegde has shared her experiences with online hate, noting that it initially disturbed her and her family. However, she has since adopted a more positive perspective. "When it started, my mom was really upset by reading stuff," Hegde said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, "but I used to take it as a compliment, because I think that if somebody feels the need to pull you down, you're above them". She further elaborated that she believes in karma, suggesting that negativity will eventually return to those who spread it.
Hegde has also spoken about the financial aspect of online trolling, revealing that her team discovered that certain meme pages were being paid to post negative content about her. In an interview with Filmfare, she recounted how her team contacted these meme pages and were told how much it would cost to stop the trolling or to "troll them back". She found it "bizarre" that people would go to such lengths.
The actress has also drawn a distinction between social media presence and real-world support. She emphasized the importance of connecting with genuine fans who spend money to watch her films, rather than focusing solely on social media followers. "There are followers, and while it's wonderful to influence people through your words and connect with them, that doesn't necessarily convert into ticket sales," she explained. "The individuals who are spending money to watch are the ones I truly need to focus on". She also pointed out that many troll accounts are bots with no real activity. "These are bots. These are fake people, if you click on their names, they don't have any posts," Hegde stated.
Hegde's perspective aligns with a growing sentiment in the entertainment industry that social media metrics don't always equate to real-world recognition or talent. She has emphasized the importance of hard work, authenticity, and personal connections over virtual fame.
On the professional front, Pooja Hegde is set to appear in the film Coolie, starring Rajinikanth. The second single from the film, featuring Hegde, was released in July 2025. She was last seen in Deva opposite Shahid Kapoor. She has also starred in Retro opposite Suriya. She will also reunite with Vijay in Jana Nayagan.
