Aahana Kumra: People are crossing the line with actors

Aahana, who recently reprimanded a fan who held her by the waist for a picture, emphasises the need to respect personal boundaries and seek consent

Over the weekend, at Cardi B’s concert in Las Vegas, a fan flung a drink at the rapper who reacted by throwing a microphone at the attendee. With the fan filing a police report of battery against Cardi B, the incident has once again put the spotlight on how admirers are breaching personal boundaries and even attacking celebrities. On home turf, Aahana Kumra had an unfortunate incident at a red-carpet event, in late May, when a fan held her by the waist while posing for a picture with her. The actor immediately berated him for touching her without her consent.  

“I saw Cardi B’s video, and to me, her [gesture] was a reflex,” says Kumra, lending her support to the rapper. As much as she is grateful to her fans for their love, the actor highlights that it is worrying how some admirers do not respect personal space. Recounting her episode, she says, “I don’t think the guy intended [harm]. The minute I told him, he backed off. But this is a larger problem—people are crossing the line with actors. My body cannot be violated. Please take our permission before touching us. It’s basic [courtesy]—I don’t touch a baby or pull their cheeks before asking the parents. People should not think that just because actors 
are public figures, they can be touched without permission.”

Earlier this year, Aditya Roy Kapur too was seen getting uncomfortable when a female fan tried hugging him. Kumra asserts that stars don’t owe it to their fans to tolerate their bad behaviour. “You don’t owe anyone anything, and no one can walk all over you. Fans make us, we respect [their love]. But a push is a push, and a no is a no. Take our consent.”

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