Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia, a veteran of the film industry and well-known for her role as a gang leader on the reality show Roadies, recently revealed that she continues to be relentlessly trolled for a comment she made in 2020 regarding infidelity. The issue resurfaced during a candid discussion, highlighting the ongoing negative attention she faces because of her “It’s her choice” statement—which she says was misunderstood—and further drawing attention to the larger social conversation around women’s agency and public scrutiny.
Neha Dhupia’s journey in Roadies alongside Rannvijay Singha and Prince Narula is marked by controversial moments and intense debates. Roadies, recognized for pushing boundaries and creating dramatic scenarios, became a platform where Neha’s stance on relationships and personal choices sparked heated reactions. Years after the broadcast, Dhupia still receives hostile online comments targeting her for taking a stand in defense of female autonomy, with particular focus from netizens who misinterpreted her intent as endorsing infidelity. In an emotionally charged atmosphere, Neha Dhupia describes the toll this targeted trolling has had on her personal and professional life.
Struggles with Being Typecast and Judged for Career Choices
In a recent conversation with Abha Deol and comedian Sumukhi Suresh, Neha Dhupia reflected on the ongoing difficulties she faces stemming from both her acting career and her public statements on Roadies. She discussed how she has fought against typecasting in Bollywood, where early roles significantly impacted the way she was perceived by the industry and audiences alike.
Dhupia opened up about the mental health implications of constant judgment and negative feedback, particularly after becoming a mother. She highlighted how these intensified attacks have made her question her decisions and experiences in show business—demonstrating that celebrity status does not make one immune to societal scrutiny. The experience, she says, is compounded by the burden of living under a magnifying glass, where every comment and professional choice remains open for relentless public dissection.
It’s been years since the ‘It’s her choice’ thing happened, and even now, if I go wrong anywhere, trolls flood the comments with the same thing. Nobody understood the context of what I was trying to say.
—Neha Dhupia, Actress
Reflecting on the Infamous Roadies 2020 Incident
The controversy began in 2020 when Neha Dhupia addressed an incident on MTV Roadies. A male contestant admitted to physically hitting his girlfriend after discovering she had cheated on him. Dhupia strongly condemned his actions, emphasizing that “raising your hand” on someone else can never be justified, regardless of the situation. During the heated exchange, she uttered the phrase “It’s her choice,” pointing to the concept that women have the right to make their own decisions, even if those decisions are unpopular or subject to disagreement.
However, this comment received widespread backlash, with many misunderstanding her intention and accusing her of promoting infidelity. Neha Dhupia has since repeatedly clarified her position, reiterating that her advocacy was against domestic violence—calling out the contestant for physical abuse rather than passing judgment on the circumstances of the relationship.
If it’s between domestic violence, not even about infidelity, but the choices that you make, then you’re going to be questioned on domestic violence. I mean, you can’t raise your hand on anyone.
—Neha Dhupia, Actress
Following the broadcast, Neha Dhupia faced an unprecedented wave of online abuse. The incident did not just remain confined to her own social media spaces. She took to X (formerly Twitter) in an effort to clarify her position, detailing how even her family and friends were targeted by hate messages, harassment, and abuse in the aftermath of the controversial episode. The attacks extended well beyond criticism of her as a public figure, intruding into her personal life and well-being.
Navigating Career Judgment and Industry Challenges
Beyond the fallout from Roadies, Neha Dhupia’s comments have highlighted a larger debate around the freedom women deserve in their professional choices. She recalled the period early in her film career when being cast in bold roles led many to judge her capabilities, resulting in a struggle to redefine her on-screen image.
The stigma remained, with notable mention of her portrayal in the film “Julie,” which, according to Dhupia, typecast her in a way that made it challenging to transition to mainstream comedy and family-friendly genres. The scrutiny from both audiences and the media meant that she constantly felt under pressure, wary that any misstep could reignite previous criticisms and trolling.
Without social media also I was also kind of judged for those kind of films I did early in my career, even when I did only one or two of them. I had to change paths, and that hard part was to make people believe in me. Just because I did a movie like Julie back in the day, doesn’t mean I can’t do a mainstream comedy film. I felt like I was walking on eggshells later.
—Neha Dhupia, Actress
This sense of vulnerability, intensified by digital scrutiny, sheds light on the pervasive culture of policing actors—especially women—for both their on-screen and real-life choices. Dhupia’s story mirrors those of many other public figures who are subject to disproportionate judgment and vitriol, highlighting ongoing issues around gender, reputation, and social media dynamics in Indian entertainment.
Ongoing Impact and Wider Cultural Conversation
Years after the original incident, the persistent trolling of Neha Dhupia reflects deeper attitudes prevalent in society regarding women’s autonomy and the public’s eagerness to profoundly criticize any deviation from traditional norms. Netizens, unable to separate the context of her original statement, frequently bring back the issue, ensuring the debate on women’s choices—and the consequences women face for expressing them—remains unresolved.
The aftermath has not only affected Neha’s digital presence but also her personal sense of safety and well-being, as both friends and family became targets of online attacks. This situation illuminates the continuing risks associated with public life on social media platforms, where interpretation and context can be lost, and where trolling becomes a tool to silence voices that challenge prevailing beliefs.
Dhupia’s experience also speaks to a broader anxiety among women in the entertainment sector about speaking out or taking stands that might be unpopular. Her willingness to revisit the topic and clarify her views underscores the urgency of nurturing a more nuanced public dialogue—one that distinguishes between supporting personal freedom and condoning harmful actions.
The Path Forward for Neha Dhupia and the Industry
Despite ongoing opposition and repeated reminders of the moment she spoke up on Roadies, Neha Dhupia’s decision to defend her perspective serves as a testament to her commitment to personal principles and advocacy for women’s choices. The intense reaction to the “It’s her choice” comment has, if anything, catalyzed new discussions across the entertainment industry about representation, agency, and the role of influential voices in shaping public perception.
Prominent individuals like Rannvijay Singha and Prince Narula, associated with Roadies, are often mentioned in the wider conversation around such incidents, illustrating how group dynamics on these shows can influence both participants and audiences. Similarly, the reactions of netizens, as well as close friends and colleagues like Abha Deol and Sumukhi Suresh, continue to give new dimensions to an ongoing debate, drawing attention to how easily personal choices on screen can trigger contentious off-screen consequences.
As debates over Neha Dhupia being trolled for her Roadies infidelity comment persist, her openness in confronting judgment signals a growing demand for change in how women are seen and heard both online and in society at large. The story remains an important case study for reflecting on the societal response to women who publicly assert their right to make independent choices, with the hope that future dialogues around such controversies might be shaped by greater empathy and understanding.
