Ridhi Dogra Says She Was Bullied for Opposing Abir Gulaal Post-Pahalgam; Points to Fawad Khan Collaboration

Ridhi Dogra: Last month was a nightmare as India and Pakistan were on the brink of war after the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 dead. India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor against terror bases in Pakistan and PoK led to Pakistan firing artillery and drones on many Indian cities, especially those close to the border. One of the cities that was heavily targeted was Jammu, where actor Ridhi Dogra lives among millions of others. The actor recalls the scary times, in conversation with HT.

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"It was very scary," says Ridhi, who was born and brought up in Jammu, adding, "We were constantly in touch with my family in Jammu and our relatives in Amritsar. There was a complete blackout. They could see things in the sky from their homes. It's a big feeling of helplessness. I was just praying and crying, and also feeling grateful for our armed forces, who were there at the border. It was not anything you wish upon anybody. It was a very hard time."

Ridhi says while Jammu and Kashmir has seen tensions and strife before, she found solace in how the entire country stood up with the region. Ridhi was to be seen in Abir Gulaal this month. "This is not the first time there's been tension in the state. We have lived that. So many times we hear there is a bomb blast in Jammu outside some temple. That's where we live. For us, this is very big. The fact that our country has stepped up and taken a stand is also very big," says the actor.

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The film had her sharing screen space with Vaani Kapoor and Pakistani actor Fawad Khan, who was making his Bollywood comeback after 9 years. But after the Pahalgam terror attack, the film’s release was indefinitely postponed. Even though Ridhi supported the decision not to release the film in India, she was trolled on social media.

She explains, "In the case of the film, I spoke for our country, and suddenly I was being bullied by saying 'arre but she worked with (Fawad Khan)'. But I was firm. Don't bully me. I am as much a citizen of this country as you. When I did that work, I was very mindful of the laws of our country. I didn't do anything illegal. And today, when we are in this situation, I feel I want to stand by my country, my armed forces. And not because I am anything important, but just because you all are too."

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