Director Harish Shankar has spoken about the impact of online trolling while expressing support for actor Vijay Deverakonda at the grand pre-release event of Ranabaali held in Hyderabad. Addressing the criticism faced by the actor, Harish emphasized that negative comments on social media cannot diminish an artist’s hard work and dedication.

During his speech, Harish acknowledged that Vijay Deverakonda has become a frequent target of online trolls, who often criticize his language and body language. However, the director maintained that such criticism cannot take away from the effort the actor puts into his work.

Harish also shared his personal experience with online trolling and described himself as one of the most trolled directors in recent times. Referring to his early career, he said that if he had allowed criticism to discourage him after the release of his film Shock, he might have stopped making films altogether.

The director explained that facing criticism should not prevent filmmakers from continuing their work. He also praised Vijay Deverakonda’s dedication and described him as a positive person who continues to work despite the negativity directed at him.

During the event, Harish recalled a dialogue from Puri Jagannadh’s film Neninthe, bringing another film-industry reference into his remarks about dealing with criticism and continuing in the profession.

Harish Shankar has also faced considerable online criticism for his recent directorial venture, Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Pawan Kalyan. The film reportedly performed poorly, and the director received negative reactions on social media over his filmmaking and writing.

Despite the criticism, Harish continues to speak about the importance of perseverance in the film industry. His comments at the Ranabaali event highlighted how online trolling can affect actors and directors, while emphasizing that professional dedication should not be judged solely by social media reactions.

Harish has not announced his next directorial project so far. Meanwhile, his remarks supporting Vijay Deverakonda have brought renewed attention to the challenges that filmmakers and actors face when dealing with online criticism.