Cinema VinesActress Aishwarya Lekshmi has spoken openly about how the failure of the 2023 Malayalam film "King of Kotha" has hurt her career, saying the wave of online trolling that followed the release made filmmakers wary of casting her. The film, which starred Dulquer Salmaan in the lead role, had built up significant hype before hitting theatres, but it was met with a mixed reception and a barrage of negative comments aimed at the cast and crew.
In a candid interview with Ranjini Haridas, Aishwarya admitted that the backlash was not limited to her alone, with Dulquer and other crew members also receiving criticism. She explained that the harsh comments about her performance and dialogue delivery had a real impact on her confidence, noting that some of the feedback felt justified. One recurring target of mockery was her reference to Dulquer’s character as "Rajuvetta" in the film, a nickname that had been used by an assistant director during the shoot of "Hello Mummy" and which she said was particularly hurtful.
The actress also revealed that the negative reaction influenced her professional choices, including her decision to avoid working with Dulquer again. She was approached for an advertisement featuring the actor but warned the team that the backlash could cause problems, ultimately opting to step away from the project. She later withdrew from another ad shoot scheduled for the Onam season, fearing the intense negative response it might trigger.
Aishwarya’s comments highlight how online backlash can extend beyond a film’s theatrical run, affecting actors’ future opportunities and choices for months after a release. She said the trolling surrounding "King of Kotha" had left her questioning whether she could work with Dulquer again, illustrating the lasting professional damage that can stem from social media criticism.
