Television actor Sonarika Bhadoria, who earned widespread recognition across Indian households for portraying Goddess Parvati in the mythological series Devon Ke Dev Mahadev, has strongly responded to criticism regarding her personal clothing choices. Reopening the conversation on an old social media uproar, she stated unequivocally that she owes no one an explanation for how she chooses to dress in her private life.
The 2016 Mauritius Vacation Controversy
The roots of this public reaction date back to 2016, when Sonarika travelled to Mauritius for a vacation. During her trip, she shared photographs on her Instagram account wearing swimwear by the beach. The images immediately triggered a barrage of harsh online backlash. Commenters labelled her shameless and uncultured, with several users posting derogatory and offensive remarks simply because her modern attire stood in stark contrast to the divine screen persona audiences had associated with her.
Refusing to Offer Unnecessary Explanations
Speaking on a recent episode of the Hauterrfly podcast, Sonarika reiterated that she refuses to let past criticism alter her decisions today. Asserting her freedom of choice without hesitation, she remarked,
"I will wear a bikini."She further questioned why she should ever have to justify herself by claiming that her father or husband approves of her clothes, noting that what truly matters is that she is personally comfortable wearing them and sees no issue with doing so.
Separating Reel Roles from Real Identity
Sonarika pointed out the double standards in public perception by noting that by the time the trolling escalated, Devon Ke Dev Mahadev had already gone off the air, and she had moved on to work in several other television projects. Even so, people repeatedly sought interviews with her solely to ask how an actor who embodied Goddess Parvati on screen could ever wear swimwear in reality. She challenged that mindset directly, emphasizing that enacting a sacred character as an actor does not obligate a person to mimic that role in everyday reality.
Practical Choices and Respecting Boundaries
Offering a practical perspective on the issue, Sonarika explained that anyone entering the water naturally wears swimwear, as one would certainly not step into the sea wearing a traditional suit. She argued that professional performances on screen and private lives are separate realms, and audiences must learn to draw that line. While she expressed profound gratitude for the immense love and reverence viewers showered upon her depiction of Parvati, she affirmed that audience adoration should never translate into the public dictating her personal decisions.
Stepping Away from Acting to Focus on Family
Sonarika observed that negative reactions often stem from people who resent seeing others live freely according to their own choices. Despite relentless trolling, she maintained her self-belief and refused to compromise on her preferences. On the professional front, the actor is currently taking a hiatus from the acting industry. She is devoting her time entirely to her home and personal life, focusing on raising her young daughter alongside her husband.
