Mumbai, April 23 — Actress Rishita Kothari, embroiled in a widely reported feud with co-star Parth Samthaan on the sets of the television drama Seher Hone Ko Hai, has broken her silence with a deeply personal note on social media, addressing online harassment, industry bias, and the emotional toll of public scrutiny. The post, shared on Wednesday, April 23, comes as coordinated trolling campaigns — allegedly driven by Parth's fanbase — targeted Rishita, with some even demanding her removal from the show.

Rishita Kothari's Emotional Statement: Key Highlights

In a lengthy post that quickly went viral, Rishita Kothari reflected on the psychological burden of staying silent while being publicly judged. She wrote, "I've always been a quiet person… but silence doesn't mean I don't feel. It doesn't mean I don't get hurt. And it definitely doesn't mean I deserve to be misunderstood."

The actress acknowledged her gratitude toward the industry and her audience, but also pointed to the darker side of fame. "I feel truly fortunate that this industry gave me a chance to live my dream," she wrote, adding that the same love from fans also brought "judgment and hate" directed not just at her but at her friends and family — which she described as the most painful part of the ordeal.

Most strikingly, Rishita revealed she had been explicitly told to endure mistreatment because of her gender and newcomer status. "I was told, 'it's a man's world, you have to bear it,'" she disclosed — a statement that has ignited a broader conversation about power dynamics and gender inequality in the Indian television industry.

The Alleged Spat and Social Media War

Reports of a serious conflict between Parth Samthaan and Rishita Kothari on the sets of Seher Hone Ko Hai began circulating earlier this week. While neither party has explicitly named the other in their respective posts, the timing and language of both statements strongly suggest they are responding to the same chain of events.

Sections of social media — reportedly accounts linked to Parth Samthaan's fanbase — launched a trolling campaign against Rishita, calling for her ouster from the show. The actress described how this digital pile-on made her feel "helpless, unheard, and so alone."

She also questioned the double standards applied to her behavior: "Why is being quiet seen as arrogance? Why is not reacting seen as guilt? Why does love come with so much hate?" Her post ended on a spiritual note, invoking Har Har Mahadev and expressing faith that "truth, eventually, speaks for itself."

Parth Samthaan's Side: Bot Accounts and Social Media Detox

A day earlier, Parth Samthaan had also taken to social media to address what he described as a coordinated smear campaign against him and his family through bot accounts. Without naming anyone, he wrote: "I have always been a peaceful and positive guy, focusing on the good but recently, I have noticed someone buying bot accounts and have been commenting rubbish on my family, me and my personal life through those fake accounts, shocking, extremely hurtful I am fumed with anger."

Parth hinted he had a strong suspicion about who was behind the campaign but chose not to name the individual publicly, stating it was "pointless to take names." He subsequently announced a social media break, writing: "I have decided to take a break from social media for sometime can't drain more energy on complaining to cyber crime dept..rather..focus on my life and my role as Mahid. Love PS."

Deeper Context: Gender, Power, and the TV Industry

The phrase "it's a man's world, you have to bear it" — reportedly said to Rishita Kothari — is more than a personal grievance. It reflects a systemic issue that has repeatedly surfaced in Bollywood and the Indian television industry, where newer or lesser-known actors — particularly women — are often expected to absorb professional misconduct without pushback.

This incident echoes patterns seen in past controversies where female actors on popular television sets faced pressure to remain silent to protect the image of more established male co-stars. The involvement of fan armies and bot accounts as tools of intimidation represents an increasingly weaponized form of celebrity culture that platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) have struggled to contain.

Notably, the cyber crime department was mentioned by Parth Samthaan himself — indicating the dispute has already entered a quasi-legal dimension, even if no formal complaint has been publicly confirmed. The use of bot networks to harass individuals online is a cognizable offense under India's Information Technology Act, and cybercrime cells across major cities have seen a sharp rise in such complaints from public figures in recent years.

What Happens Next

The controversy surrounding Seher Hone Ko Hai is unlikely to fade quickly. Both Rishita Kothari and Parth Samthaan have significant fan followings, and the online battle between their respective supporter bases appears to be escalating rather than cooling down. Industry observers will be watching whether the show's producers make any public statement or take internal action.

As Rishita continues to perform in the show and Parth steps back from social media to focus on his role as Mahid, the broader question of how the Indian entertainment industry handles workplace conflict — especially when it spills into the public domain — remains urgently relevant. The coming days may reveal whether either party escalates the matter through legal channels or allows it to settle quietly.