On the joyous occasion of her birthday, celebrated on April 15, actress Mandira Bedi is not only reflecting on another year of life but also on her journey as a mother and an entertainer. Mandira, an established name in the Indian film and television industry, is widely recognized for her memorable performance in iconic films like ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, and more contemporary cinema such as ‘Meerabai Not Out’ and ‘Vodka Diaries’. She has graced the small screen with significant roles in popular TV shows such as ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’, and ‘Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin’.
The actress embarked on a life-journey with filmmaker Raj Kaushal, exchanging wedding vows in the year 1999. Their bond strengthened over time as they welcomed their son Veer in 2011 and chose to expand their family through the adoption of a baby girl named Tara in 2020. However, the family was struck by tragedy when Raj Kaushal passed away after a sudden cardiac arrest on June 30, 2021.
Despite the personal loss, Mandira has remained a pillar of strength for her family, and that strength was put to the test when she confronted cyberbullying aimed at her children. In a candid reveal during an interview with ETimes, she recounted the harrowing experience of discovering vitriolic comments targeted at her adoptive daughter, Tara.
The actress, who has faced her fair share of trolling since her inception into the world of social media, recounted how initially, she engaged with the negative comments, believing it to be a way to address the cyberbullies, only to realize that it served to fuel their intent by giving them the attention they craved.
On most days, Mandira would employ the use of her social media presence to radiate positivity, staying clear from using the platform to make statements, be rude, or attack individuals. However, she described how an appalling find – a barrage of nasty remarks pointed at her innocent child – set off an unprecedented response from her usually calm demeanor.
Expressing her dismay, Mandira revealed how the incident cut deep not because the remarks were against her, but because they were mercilessly directed at her daughter, a child protected from the awareness of such malice by her tender age. The protective instinct of a mother surfaced, propelling her beyond the realm of silent tolerance.
Some of Mandira’s friends suggested she overlook the troll’s comments, yet she found solace and support in those friends who aided her quest for justice by reaching out to the cyber cell and social media platforms, leading to the suspension of the abusive account.
The actress stressed the distinction between the tolerable and the unforgivable, asserting that any attack on her family, especially her children, was a clear crossing of the line, signaling that her restraint has its limits when it comes to protecting her loved ones.
In the professional landscape, Mandira has recently appeared in the series ‘The Railway Men’. This narrative venture draws inspiration from real-life heroics set against the catastrophic event of the Bhopal Gas Leak in 1984. It narrates the valorous acts of Indian Railway employees who demonstrated extraordinary courage and commitment to aid the populace during one of the city’s most daunting calamities.
Having survived personal loss and standing firm against the assaults of anonymity-empowered cyberbullies, Mandira Bedi remains an embodiment of perseverance and grace under pressure, a testament to her indomitable spirit both on-screen and off.
(With inputs from Agencies)
