Pooja Hegde on paid negative PR, vicious trolling: ‘If somebody needs to pull you down, you’re above them’

Pooja Hegde has once again addressed the issue of paid negative PR and targeted trolling in the film industry, revealing how the campaign against her not only impacted her but also took a toll on her family.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, the actress, who had first spoken about this last year, said, “When it started, my mom was the one who got really upset... I used to take it as a compliment because if somebody needs to pull you down, you’re above them. I can only pull down someone who’s above me.”The Coolie star said that many celebrities have come forward to talk about similar experiences since she called out negative PR propaganda.

While she admits the online attacks were vicious, she chooses to focus on the love she gets from her audience in real life. “When people are throwing papers in the theatre or asking for selfies at the airport—that is tangible. These are real people,” she pointed out.

Pooja, who will soon be seen in the Monica special song in Coolie, also stressed that she believes in karma. According to her, what one puts out into the world, good or bad, returns manifold.

As for online hate, she doesn’t let it affect her much anymore, noting that many of the troll accounts are bots with no real activity. “I don’t know who these viciously trolling people are,” she added.Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie boasts a stellar ensemble including Nagarjuna, Sathyaraj, Aamir Khan, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, and Shruti Haasan. Industry buzz suggests the action entertainer could release in over 100 countries, making it one of the biggest Indian film launches of 2025.