Dia Mirza Defends Ibrahim Ali Khan, Khushi Kapoor Amid Nadaaniyan Backlash: ‘There’s A Culture Of Eat the Privileged’
After Nadaaniyan faced harsh online trolling, actress Dia Mirza—who plays Ibrahim Ali Khan’s mother in the film—called out the personal attacks, saying they are “extremely disrespectful” and harmful to young actors' mental health.
Following the release of Nadaaniyan on Netflix this March, debutants Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor found themselves at the center of harsh online trolling. While the rom-com has sparked a range of reactions, much of the commentary has taken a personal turn—something co-star Dia Mirza is speaking out against.
In a recent interview with Bombay Times, Dia, who plays Ibrahim’s mother in the film, addressed the intensity of the backlash and shared her concerns about the toll it could take on young actors’ mental health.
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“I have never been in favor of personal attacks and find them extremely disrespectful," she said. “Everyone is free to have an opinion, but it shouldn’t be expressed at the cost of somebody’s mental health." Pointing to the disproportionate criticism aimed at the younger generation of actors, Dia continued, “I’ve been concerned, especially for the younger actor, about the harshness of what’s being said. I feel there’s a culture of ‘eat the privileged,’ which is harsh, because people have their own stuff to deal with."
Nadaaniyan, produced by Karan Johar’s Dharmatics Entertainment, features Ibrahim and Khushi as romantic leads in a story about love, self-discovery, and messy family dynamics. The cast also includes Jugal Hansraj, Mahima Chaudhary, Suniel Shetty, and Apoorva Mukhija.
Veteran actor Jugal Hansraj, who plays Ibrahim’s father in the film, also echoed Dia’s sentiments in a separate interview with India Today Digital. He called the personal trolling “silly and petty" and encouraged viewers to offer “constructive criticism" instead of online hate.
Dia, reflecting on her own career, also shared how her definition of success has evolved. “When I started out, it was more about box office and material gains. Now, it’s about showing up prepared and offering your best self to the opportunity."
As Nadaaniyan continues to stream on Netflix, the conversation around nepotism and online culture continues to grow louder. But voices like Dia’s serve as a timely reminder that beneath the headlines and hashtags are young people—figuring it out, just like everyone else.
Up next, Dia Mirza will be seen in Kaafir, which begins streaming on Zee5 from April 4, 2025.
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