Actress and Bigg Boss 18 finalist Chum Darang, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, has been in the spotlight ever since her stint on the reality show. While she has earned a massive fan following, she also continues to face online trolling regarding her looks, accent, and origin. Addressing the criticism, Chum shared her perspective in a recent interview and urged people to give her time to grow.
During an interaction with BBC News India, Chum was asked how she handles online trolls who criticise her because of her looks and also because of the way she speaks.
Chum said, "I just have one thing to say to people out there—that I’m still learning. This is all very new to me. Give me some time so that I can correct myself and be better in every way possible."
However, she made it clear that her appearance is not up for debate. "Looks? Sorry, I can't change. Accept me like this or don’t. But other things—like the way I speak and the way I conduct myself—I’m learning. So give me some time."
Despite the negativity, Chum remains unfazed and chooses to focus on positivity. "It’s okay. Sometimes people will like you, sometimes they won’t. It’s up to you how you take things. Take the good things. Don’t take the bad things. That’s how I roll," she said.
Chum Darang recalls facing racism
During the same interview, Chum also opened up about the racism she has faced over the years. She recalled multiple instances of being subjected to racial slurs, including being called "momo" and "chow chow" by young boys at a Mumbai mall. At the time, she was unsure how to react, but now, she says she has developed a thick skin.
The actress also recalled a disturbing incident while she was on her way to audition for Badhaai Do in March 2020, during the peak of COVID-19. Two men on a scooter rode past her and yelled "Coronavirus" before speeding away. However, this moment of anger unexpectedly helped her land the role.
"My audition scene required me to yell. And I was so frustrated, irritated, and angry from that incident that I just lashed out. That raw emotion ended up getting me the part," she revealed.
