Vikrant Massey Recalls Threats After The Sabarmati Report
Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey has previously opened up about the difficult period he faced after starring in The Sabarmati Report.
The film, which revolves around the 2002 Godhra train-burning incident, generated considerable discussion and divided opinions even before its release. Massey, who played a journalist in the film, also became a target of criticism and online abuse.
‘I Have Received Threats’
During the promotion of the film, Massey revealed that he had received threats and believed more could follow.
The actor said that as artists, their responsibility is to tell stories and that the film was based on facts. He also said that the team would deal with the threats together.
His Infant Son Was Also Dragged Into the Backlash
One of the most troubling aspects for Massey was that the online backlash extended beyond him and reached his family.
The actor revealed that people had even brought his infant son into the controversy. At the time, his son was only around nine months old. Massey expressed concern about his child's safety and questioned why a baby who could not even walk was being targeted in the controversy.
Massey Faced Other Online Abuse Too
The actor's social media presence had previously attracted criticism as well.
During Karwa Chauth, Massey shared photographs in which he was seen touching his wife Sheetal Thakur's feet. The post drew both appreciation and criticism, with some users targeting the couple over their personal and secular outlook.
Massey later spoke about the reaction and questioned why personal family photographs had become a subject of such intense online discussion.
Vikrant Massey Explains His Secular Views
Massey also faced questions about his secular credentials because of his association with The Sabarmati Report.
Responding to the criticism, he said that being secular means standing by people regardless of their religion, caste or background while respecting different cultures. He also pointed to his family's background, noting that his parents had an inter-caste marriage and that he himself had an inter-caste marriage. His brother, he said, had converted to another religion.
Why The Sabarmati Report Became Controversial
The Sabarmati Report is based on the 2002 Godhra train-burning incident in Gujarat. The subject matter made the film politically and socially sensitive, with strong reactions emerging around its narrative.
Massey starred alongside Raashii Khanna and Ridhi Dogra. His involvement in the project brought renewed attention to his views and public image, particularly because of the film's politically sensitive subject.
Online Trolling Also Affected His Family
Massey's comments highlighted a broader issue faced by public figures on social media: criticism often extends from the individual to their family members.
The actor had previously spoken about threats and abuse, particularly expressing concern when his young son became part of the online backlash.
Retirement Announcement Renewed Questions
When Massey announced in late 2024 that he planned to step away from acting, some fans and social media users wondered whether the threats and trolling surrounding The Sabarmati Report had contributed to his decision.
Massey later clarified that he was not actually retiring permanently. He said he was burned out and wanted to take a break, while also focusing on his responsibilities as a husband, father and son.
Vikrant Massey's Career Journey
Massey's career received a major boost following the success of 12th Fail, which established him as one of the prominent performers of his generation.
His subsequent work in The Sabarmati Report placed him at the centre of a much more politically charged conversation. The actor has previously said that he does not want financial success to dictate his film choices and prefers stories that have something meaningful to say.
His recollections of threats, abuse and trolling after The Sabarmati Report have once again brought attention to the challenges actors can face when working on politically sensitive subjects, as well as the growing problem of online abuse targeting their families.
