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Aditi Rao Hydari , now nearly two decades into her acting career, feels the entertainment world has become tougher to navigate due to the rise of “paid negativity” and agenda-driven narratives. The actress, who began her journey in 2006 with the Malayalam film ‘Prajapathi’, acknowledges that smear campaigns against public figures are not new.


Aditi Rao Hydari on the rise of online toxicity

Reflecting on the growing influence of digital media, Aditi highlights how online chatter often turns toxic. “Celebrity smear campaigns aren’t new," she tells Hindustan Times, adding, “But I see it around me all the time. Occasionally, I come across random rubbish about myself. I ignore it because I know there’s some agenda behind it." The actor points out that the flood of online content has made it increasingly difficult to distinguish verified information from speculation. “There’s so much misinformation on platforms that are supposed to be factual," says Aditi, adding: “Add paid negativity and hidden agendas, and it becomes toxic. Sometimes, too much information is a burden. The mystery surrounding actors has faded.”