Amitabh Bachchan on online trolling: How being called ‘budhau’ made him post less

For a star who has spent decades connecting with audiences, social media was another way to bring fans closer. But Amitabh Bachchan says the experience has not always been welcoming. The veteran actor recently recalled how online users mocked his age, with one insult in particular making him reconsider how freely he shared his thoughts.

Speaking on Kaun Banega Crorepati 18, Bachchan opened up about online criticism after a contestant asked him how he handled negativity on social media. The exchange offered a glimpse of the less glamorous side of being a public figure: even someone as celebrated as Bachchan can find online hostility uncomfortable.

Amitabh Bachchan recalls being called ‘budhau’ on social media

Bachchan explained that he initially viewed social media as a useful platform for expressing himself. That changed when he began reading the responses to his posts and encountered personal remarks about his age. Recalling the comments, the actor said, “Pehle humne socha ki yeh bahut accha yantra hai, ismein hum apne dil ki baat bol dete hain… Uske baad jab humne padhna shuru kiya ki iska comment kya hai, humne aise likhna band kar diya. ‘Apne aap ko kya samajhta hai re tu budhau… Aise kyun bol raha hai?’ Toh aise-aise shabdawali hoti hai, bada ajeeb lagta hai. Toh ab humne zyada likhna chhod diya hai..”

The word budhau is a colloquial, often disparaging way of referring to an older man. For Bachchan, the problem was not simply disagreement with his opinions; it was the personal nature of the comments and how they affected his willingness to post.

Why Bachchan’s follower count kept growing despite fewer posts

The conversation took a lighter turn when Bachchan pointed out an irony in his online experience. Although negative comments had made him post less frequently, his audience continued to grow. He said, “Aur bhaisahab ek baat batayein aapko? Jab se kam likhna kar diya hai, humara follower badhta chala ja raha hai…”

The observation drew laughter, but it also highlighted a familiar contradiction of social media: reducing one’s activity does not necessarily mean losing an audience. Followers may continue to engage with a public figure’s older posts, career updates and occasional new messages.

Amitabh Bachchan’s blog has connected him with fans since 2008

Bachchan’s relationship with digital audiences goes back well before today’s social media culture. He began writing his personal blog in 2008 and has continued to use online platforms to share reflections, photographs and updates with readers.

The Indian Express reported in August 2022 that Bachchan had spoken about receiving abusive comments and feeling compelled to think carefully before posting. His latest remarks suggest that the discomfort associated with online criticism has remained part of his experience.

What Bachchan’s experience says about online trolling

Bachchan’s account is a reminder that online criticism can influence not only what public figures say, but also how often they choose to speak. For celebrities, social media offers a direct line to fans, without the filters of traditional interviews. The same openness, however, can expose them to personal attacks.

His response was not to abandon the platforms altogether, but to share less. And, as he joked on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the audience kept growing anyway.

(With inputs from ANI)