Shanaya Kapoor Calls Online Trolling ‘Constructive Feedback’ Ahead of Debut in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan — A Bold Yet Questionable Stance?

Shanaya Kapoor, daughter of Sanjay Kapoor and the latest entrant from the Kapoor clan into Bollywood, has sparked a fresh wave of discussion online — and not for her acting debut. In a recent interview, she confidently stated that she sees trolling as “constructive feedback.” While some fans applaud her maturity, others call it nothing more than a PR cover-up for the nepotism-fueled entry she’s enjoying.

Set to debut in Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan alongside Vikrant Massey, Shanaya's statement seems tailor-made to silence critics who relentlessly target star kids for being handed opportunities on a silver platter. But her words have divided the internet — with many asking, “Is trolling really feedback, or just a smokescreen to dismiss real criticism?”

Shanaya admitted that she actively looks for negative comments and articles about herself. She claims that she sifts through the harshness to extract genuine pointers on how she can improve her appearance, demeanor, and overall presence. “It’s my responsibility to know what people are saying,” she said — a line that may sound humble, but also hints at calculated media training.

Interestingly, her debut film is a romantic drama based on a Ruskin Bond short story, where she plays a theatre artist and Vikrant Massey, a visually impaired musician. While Vikrant is celebrated for his nuanced, layered performances, critics fear that Shanaya's casting is yet another instance of an underqualified star kid paired with a skilled actor to mask her lack of experience.

The film’s producers, of course, are placing heavy bets on Shanaya’s youth, charm, and social media following to drive box office numbers. But audiences aren’t convinced. Many still remember how previous “launches” of star kids fizzled out, especially when they failed to connect emotionally on screen.

The bigger controversy lies in her casual acceptance of trolling. Online trolling has caused mental health crises for several actors, especially women. To reduce it to mere “feedback” has angered a segment of the public who feel she’s trivializing an otherwise serious and damaging phenomenon. Critics argue that this glamorized take on cyberbullying is irresponsible — especially coming from someone who hasn’t even faced the real wrath of public scrutiny yet.

Shanaya’s statement also begs a deeper question: Are Bollywood’s star kids being coached to appear “woke” and “self-aware” in interviews to soften the nepotism narrative? With her calm tone and well-rehearsed answers, her statements seem designed to reposition privilege as pressure, and trolling as guidance — a PR play more than a genuine perspective.

As the release of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan nears, all eyes will be on Shanaya Kapoor. Whether she truly silences the trolls with talent — or fades into the background like many before her — remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Bollywood’s obsession with repackaging legacy under the guise of relatability isn't going away anytime soon.