Raima Sen has opened up about the intense trolling she faced during the release of Vivek Agnihotri’s The Vaccine War. In a recent interview with NDTV, conducted during the re-release of her classic film Parineeta, the actress spoke candidly about the criticism that came her way long before audiences had even seen the film.
Sen revealed that she was harshly judged for her involvement in the project, losing a significant number of social media followers as people speculated and criticized her performance. “I was judged so much,” she recalled, adding that it was a new and unsettling experience in her career. Despite the negativity, she said she remained proud of her work in the film, which she believes made a meaningful impact.
Taking a pragmatic approach to the backlash, Sen shared advice inspired by her father and grandmother. She explained that in the world of cinema, “publicity is publicity,” regardless of whether it’s good or bad. For her, being the topic of conversation—even for the wrong reasons—was still a sign of relevance in the industry.
The trolling, she noted, was particularly intense in her hometown of Kolkata. Sen speculated that some people may have misunderstood her involvement in the project as a sign that she was entering politics. “Maybe because I was a part of the project, they thought I was joining politics,” she said, adding that she hopes critics will eventually watch the film and reconsider their opinions.
The Vaccine War, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, featured a star-studded cast including Nana Patekar, Pallavi Joshi, Anupam Kher, Girija Oak, Nivedita Bhattacharya, Sapthami Gowda, and Mohan Kapur. Released on September 28, 2023, the film tackled the efforts and challenges behind India’s vaccine development during the pandemic, sparking widespread discussions—and controversy—across the country.