Cinema VinesIn 2023, the Malayalam film industry buzzed around the release of King of Kotha, a high‑profile action drama that starred Dulquer Salmaan as the protagonist Raju. The movie was expected to be a box‑office hit, but it ended up drawing largely negative reviews and underperformed, earning only ₹31.35 crore worldwide against a ₹40 crore budget.
Following the film’s poor reception, lead actress Aishwarya Lekshmi has spoken openly about the backlash she endured. In a recent interview with anchor Rajini Haridas on the YouTube channel, she revealed that the trolling she faced after the release has left a lasting impact on her career. She said the negative comments made her feel that the Malayalam film industry had become hesitant to cast her, and she even feared that working with Dulquer again might be problematic.
Aishwarya recounted specific incidents that hurt her deeply. She mentioned an assistant director who mocked her for calling Dulquer “Rajuvetta” in the film, an incident that left her feeling insulted. She also noted that a mobile company had approached her for an Onam shoot with Dulquer, but she declined, citing the “very bad backlash” that could affect the project.
She added that while she welcomes constructive criticism, the relentless trolling and personal attacks have taken a toll. “As an actor, I have been questioned multiple times, and sometimes I am like, ‘You are right.’ But the trolling and insults always affect me,” she said. The film’s crew, including Dulquer Salmaan, also reported receiving harassment after the release.
Despite the hype and strong opening, King of Kotha suffered from criticism over its screenplay, pacing, and execution. Directed by Abhilash Joshiy, the story follows Raju’s return to the crime‑ridden town of Kotha and his entanglement in its underworld. Alongside Dulquer, the cast features Aishwarya Lekshmi as Tara, Shabeer Kallarakkal, Prasanna, and Gokul Suresh.
