'Dragging my dead parents into it': Sidra Niazi speaks out against trolling by Babar Azam fans

Speaking to The Current, actress Sidra Niazi responded to the ongoing trolling she has been experiencing, allegedly by cricketer Babar Azam's fans, after she answered, "No one," when asked who her favourite cricket player was.

Acknowledging that celebrities get “trolled all the time,” she noted, “This time, something really alarming and disturbing happened. I didn’t even say anything, yet I was trolled."

Clarifying her response, she stated that she did not take Babar's name nor specifically target any player.

Quoting some users who outed her home address and hurled abuses at her deceased parents, Sidra Niazi questioned, “Who are these people? Why doesn’t someone like Babar Azam address this?”

She went on to point out, “If you look at other international players, they are not just great cricketers; they are role models. The way they speak, the way they handle issues, the way they emphasise mental fitness and the right approach – that’s what makes them respected figures."

"But when we compare them to our heroes, where does Babar stand? What is he teaching his fans? Why doesn’t he say something?” she questioned.

"I am also surprised by Babar’s silence on this," she added, emphasising that Pakistan’s cricketers are bigger stars than TV or film celebrities, their fan following is massive, and people idolise them, but “What are these so-called heroes teaching their fans? Why don’t they step forward and address such issues?”

She went on to point out that Virat Kohli was out of form for four years, was criticised, and is still being asked to be dropped from the Champions Trophy squad. “Criticism is fine,” she added. “But our people take things to an extreme level without knowing anything. I think it’s high time we start addressing these issues."

"It’s really disturbing. I can’t even explain the thoughts running through my mind. It’s like being pushed into a state of anxiety,” she said, sharing her sentiments.