Dona Ganguly goes to cops, calls out trolls over ‘personal attacks’
Times of India | 29 November 2025
Kolkata: Classical dancer Dona Ganguly, wife of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, lodged aN FIR claiming that her performance at the recent film festival was criticised using derogatory comments that were "personal".
"I am writing to formally lodge a complaint against a Facebook page that has publicly humiliated and body-shamed me. The derogatory content posted against me is deeply disrespectful and has caused harm to my dignity and reputation. As a public figure and an artist, I consider this to be defamatory in nature… The actions of this page violate my rights and amount to online harassment," Dona wrote in her complaint letter submitted at Thakurpukur PS.
The cops have lodged an FIR under Section 79 of BNS that criminalises acts, words, or gestures intended to insult the modesty of a woman. "We have started a probe. Requisitions have been sent to Facebook to help us in this probe," said Rahul De, DC (Behala-South West).
In March this year, Ganguly filed a complaint with the Kolkata Police cyber cell against a female YouTuber for allegedly spreading defamatory content about her family on social media.
"Dona Ganguly has been dancing for the last 45 years. Just as the Army protects our country at the borders, our artists protect the culture and legacy of India. Disrespecting them weakens the very fabric of who we are," said Taniya Bhattacharya, secretary to Sourav Ganguly.
Celebrities have been viciously trolled in the past, including many Tollywood actors like Swastika Mukherjee and Ritabhari Chakraborty. While the former is known for handling online criticism by confidently asserting her right to make her own choices, Ritabhari Chakraborty has often responded by promoting body positivity,. She deletes and blocks trolls on her personal account, viewing it as her personal space. "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and can use their own places and platforms to criticise or be bitter about me. But my account feels like my home," Chakraborty said.
Actor Oindrila Sen lodged an FIR a couple of years ago for repeated harassment by a fan who was targeting actor Ankush Hazra. "The person was frustrated since Ankush didn't react to her messages and threatened to end her life and blame Ankush for that. This got so serious that I lodged an FIR," said Sen.
Actor Subhasree Ganguly has been subjected to numerous online trolls. Criticisms have ranged from her English skills to unfounded claims about reading a book upside down. She said: "I respect Dona-di's decision to protest. No one should be body-shamed. I never read any comments. I do not want to allow anyone to disturb my mental peace and happiness."