Influencer Apoorva Mukhija Urges Fans to Stop Hating on Friend Rida Tharana Amid Online Controversy
Social media influencer Apoorva Mukhija has publicly addressed the wave of online criticism directed at her close friend Rida Tharana, following speculation sparked by Mukhija’s recent comments. In a statement shared on her Instagram Stories, Mukhija expressed concern over the assumptions and hostility circulating online, clarifying that her intention was to share her personal experiences, not to fuel negativity.
“After my video, there’s been a lot of assumptions and hate going around,” Mukhija wrote, “As much as I appreciate you guys having my back, this is the last thing I wanted. I wanted to share my story and my feelings nothing more. So let’s please not jump to conclusions or spread negativity.”
The controversy arose after Mukhija’s YouTube comeback video, where she discussed challenges she faced following the India’s Got Latent controversy. In the video, she mentioned consulting a tarot card reader who suggested a friend had performed “black magic” on her. While Mukhija did not name anyone, some netizens speculated that she was referring to Tharana, leading to intense trolling of the latter. Mukhija’s failure to mention Tharana among the friends she thanked in the video further fueled rumors of a rift between the two.
To counter the speculation, Mukhija shared a photo of herself hugging Tharana on Instagram, captioning it, “Only love for @rida.tharana,” accompanied by a red heart emoji. Tharana, in turn, addressed the backlash on her own Instagram Stories, revealing personal struggles, including caring for her unwell mother. She explained that she has been supporting her family financially and emotionally, stating, “Me not working means stopping everything.” Tharana also noted that her mother’s discomfort in the city prompted her to host friends for iftar, which brought her mother joy.
Tharana defended herself against the accusations, saying, “I don’t want to give endless justifications. It’s Apoorva’s time to shine, and I won’t be a shadow to it.” She highlighted the broader issue of online hate, writing, “People hate women. Women surviving, living, laughing, existing & just being.” Tharana also made it clear she has no interest in chasing fame, expressing gratitude for the support she has received and inviting detractors to unfollow her.
The situation underscores the rapid escalation of online narratives, with Mukhija’s call for restraint aiming to restore calm. Both influencers have urged their followers to focus on positivity, seeking to move past the controversy that has gripped their social media circles