Have realised toxic fandom may never change, says Neha

Toxic fandom is on the rise, and it’s spilling over into many celebs’ offline lives, feels singer Neha Bhasin, who has been the target of toxicity on several occasions in the past, including getting rape threats from K-pop band BTS’ fans, prompting her to file a police complaint and calling out her Bigg Boss OTT housemate Pratik Sehajpal’s fan groups for harassing and tormenting her.

“Fan wars [on social media] have become very prevalent today, with everyone thinking that they know what is best for their idols. I am finally coming to terms with the fact that toxic fandom may never change. I feel celebs have a responsibility to educate their fans as to what is the right way of doing it (voicing their opinions),” says the Parwah singer.

The 39-year-old goes on to add that the virtual world’s discordant conflict is leading to conflict in real life. “It also interferes in our relationships, and I have seen that happen with my bond with some people. It’s heartbreaking,” says Bhasin, adding that there is also an extra pressure on celebs to like “each other’s posts and put up stories about each other”. While she doesn’t bow down to the pressure, it is reality, “because otherwise fandoms get very angry ki tumne uska post lagaya, mera nahin lagaya”.

Bhasin goes on, “That kind of interference shouldn’t happen. Fandom shouldn’t be about demeaning the other person, but about uniting and reaching out to more. Ab woh nahin ho raha hai, aur baaki sab kuch ho raha hai, which is sad.”

However, the Chashni (Bharat, 2019) singer is proud of her fandom for “staying peaceful”. “My fans and I are not interested in other people’s business,” she signs off.

Fandom be about shouldn’t the other demeaning but about person, reaching uniting and out.

NEHA BHASIN,

Singer

PHOTO: RAAJESSH KASHYAP/HT