Television actress Shweta Tiwari has spoken out against the abuse women face on social media after allegedly receiving derogatory messages from people she claimed were supporters of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, the ‘Kasautii Zindagi Kay’ actress shared a series of lengthy notes addressing what she described as the “deeply concerning” and “unfortunately very common” practice of using abusive language against women online. Shweta began by questioning how men from different backgrounds, including those who are educated and come from respectable families, could feel comfortable using degrading language against women. She pointed out that many of these men have mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters, yet still resort to such abuse online.

Shweta then alleged that some of the people abusing her were supporters of Raj Thackeray or his party. Reflecting on her connection with Maharashtra, she said she had spent her entire life in the state and had grown up believing that Marathi culture valued the dignity and strength of women.

The actress wrote, “Today I want to talk about something that is both deeply concerning and unfortunately very common on social media: calling a woman: r. Any woman. Of any age. From any profession. Any man from any background can come online and call a woman r. And what shocks me is that these men are not necessarily uneducated or from troubled backgrounds. Many of them are educated, seemingly come from respectible families, have wives, mothers, daughters and sisters. And yet feel completely comfortable using the most degrading word they can think of for another woman.” (sic)

The ‘Mere Dad Ki Dulhan’ actress added, “And I thought how do you go home to that family after speaking to another woman like this? Apparently he is also a supporter of Raj Thackeray or his party. And that brings me to something very personal. I have lived in Maharashtra all my life. My father was brought up in Mumbai. All my life I have grown up seeing the pride and dignity attached to being a Marathi maanus… I grew up believing that Marathi culture respected women, their strength and their dignity.”

“So when I see people who proudly identify as Marathi maanus coming into women’s DMs and calling them r****, I genuinely have to ask: Is this what being a Marathi maanus has come to mean? Raj Thackeray, if people like this are your supporters, then I would genuinely like to know, do you believe this is acceptable behaviour? Because speaking Marathi, calling yourself a Marathi manus or claiming to love Maharashtra is not enough.”

Shweta Tiwari concluded writing, “Because a woman doesn’t lose her dignity just because you don’t know her. And she certainly doesn’t deserve to be called r**** simply becaue you disagree with her, dislike her or feel entitled to abuse her. Respect women not only the women you love but women. Period.” (sic)

Earlier, Shweta had made headlines after she shared a video claiming that she found a cockroach in a Red Bull can ordered through Instamart. “We ordered Red Bull from Instamart, and we also received a cockroach with that,” she said.

Actor and narrator Vijay Vikram Singh has said that it is “very difficult” to imagine Bigg Boss without Salman Khan, given the superstar’s long-standing association with the reality show.In an exclusive conversation with IANS, the ‘Ikka’ actor called Salman an “integral” part of the show and spoke about the strong connection he shares with its audience. Sharing his views on Salman Khan’s role as the host, Vijay said that while Bigg Boss can continue without any one individual, Salman’s long-standing association with the show has made his presence an integral part of its identity and its connection with the audience.

He said, “No, no, I can be totally separated. If you don’t hear this tomorrow afternoon at 12 o’clock, then also your life will go on. If Mr. Khan is not there, then it is possible with the show. So, a lot of people are connected because Mr. Khan is there.”Vijay went on to acknowledge Salman’s strong association with the reality show, adding that it is now difficult to imagine Bigg Boss in its current form without the superstar. “So, Salman, sir, is an integral part of the show. And without him, it is very difficult to imagine the show now. Like, it is very difficult to imagine Khatron Ke Khiladi without Rohit Shetty sir,” he said.

Salman Khan has been associated with “Bigg Boss” for several seasons and has become one of the most recognizable faces of the franchise. The ‘Sultan’ actor began hosting Bigg Boss in 2010 with Season 4 and has since become synonymous with the reality show. He continued as the host through Season 17 and is also set to return for the upcoming Season 18.Before Salman Khan took over as host, “Bigg Boss” saw Arshad Warsi host Season 1, followed by Shilpa Shetty in Season 2 and Amitabh Bachchan in Season 3. The ‘Kick’ actor then began hosting the show with Season 4 in 2010 and continued as the host through Season 17.

Meanwhile, Vijay Vikram Singh remains closely associated with “Bigg Boss,” having served as the show’s narrator for several seasons. His distinctive voice has become a recognizable part of the reality show.

Mumbai, August 19: Amid the ongoing public spat between Bollywood superstar Govinda and his wife Sunita Ahuja, the latter was spotted arriving at the Bandra Family Court on Wednesday with their son Yashvardhan Ahuja.

Sunita was seen stepping out with Yashvardhan, who appeared visibly displeased as paparazzi followed the mother-son duo.

At one point, he appeared to lose his cool at the photographers while accompanying his mother and asked photographers to make way for his mother and not hound her.

When asked what happened inside the court, Yashvardhan loudly said, “Nothing”, while Sunita sarcastically said, “Birthday manane aaye the (Had come to celebrate Birthday)”

Sunita opted for a casual look, wearing a light pink shirt and black trousers. Yashvardhan, meanwhile, was dressed in a white shirt with grey trousers and blue sneakers.

The latest sighting comes amid public tension between Sunita and Govinda, with their personal equation and ugly spat becoming public.

The controversy escalated after Govinda was spotted at an airport with his ‘Roopa’ co-star Komal Rani Swarnkar.

Sunita had reacted strongly to it and questioned Govinda’s association with the much-younger actress.

She had referred to Govinda as a “sugar daddy” and said he was “going around with a girl who is the same age as his daughter”, while also telling Komal to “dress properly”.

Sunita’s remarks came amid speculation surrounding Govinda and Komal, though there has been no confirmation of an affair between the two.

For the uninitiated, Komal is associated with Govinda’s upcoming film ‘Roopa’, and the actor has maintained that his association with younger actresses is extremely professional.

Govinda finally responded to Sunita through a video message, saying that she should not interfere with his work or make statements that could damage his reputation and business.

Addressing the age-gap criticism, he pointed out that it is not the first time an actor has been paired opposite to an actress much younger than the hero.

He said how earlier as well Bollywood superstars have worked with younger actresses and said that such professional collaborations should not automatically be viewed as relationships.

He also asked Sunita to be mindful of the language she uses in public. In another part of his response, Govinda objected to what he described as her repeated use of abusive expressions involving mothers and sisters, saying that youngsters could be influenced by what public figures say and do.

The actor further urged Sunita to refrain from using excessive swear words.

Sunita, meanwhile, has previously spoken candidly about the difficulties in her marriage and Govinda’s alleged affairs.

Reports about trouble in their marriage have also resurfaced repeatedly. Sunita had reportedly filed a divorce petition in the Bandra Family Court in December 2024, with reports citing cruelty, adultery and desertion as the grounds.

But in a few months, during ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, Govinda and Sunita made a public appearance in front of the media and said that nobody could ever break their bond.

For the uninitiated, Govinda and Sunita married in 1987 and have two children, daughter Tina Ahuja and son Yashvardhan Ahuja.

Yashvardhan is preparing to make his acting debut, while Tina also known as Narmada made her Bollywood debut with ‘Second Hand Husband’ in 2015.