Girija Oak Reacts To Being “Sexualised” After Blue-Saree Moment Goes Viral: “It’s A Trend; It’ll Come And Go”
Girija Oak goes viral in a blue saree, praises and criticism follow.
Actor Girija Oak, known for her work in Marathi and Hindi cinema, recently became an unexpected Internet sensation when photos of her in a blue saree went viral across social media. While fans praised her elegance, calling her “India’s answer to Sydney Sweeney” and even comparing her to Italian icon Monica Bellucci, the actor revealed that several pages also “sexualised” her online presence. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Oak said she was amused by the sudden attention but also disappointed by how the narrative was twisted by some online communities.
The actor recalled that the viral moment started on Sunday evening while she was in rehearsal for a stage play. “My phone started buzzing like crazy,” she said. “All my friends were messaging me, ‘Do you know what’s happening on X?’ One sent me a post debating whether it was Priya Bapat or me. Then my brother-in-law told me that some cheap handles picked up my pictures, and there was a whole ‘bhabhi lover’ trend happening.” Despite the negativity, Oak acknowledged that her Marathi audience defended her, saying they had long admired her work.
Having grown up in a film family, Oak said she has developed perspective over the years about public perception and media frenzy. “Fortunately, I come from a film family. My father is an actor, my father-in-law is a producer, and my husband is a filmmaker. We understand that one can’t control perceptions,” she said. “If you put yourself on a pedestal, people will talk. The work I do is what will really stay.”
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Oak also reflected on how she deals with online chatter and fame cycles. “At the cost of sounding wise and old, it’s a trend; it’ll come and go. The work I do is here to stay. If people discover my work now, that makes me happy,” she said, adding that she doesn’t let viral moments define her identity or artistic credibility.
Born in Nagpur to veteran Marathi actor Girish Oak and homemaker Padmashree Phatak, Girija Oak has built a varied career across regional and Hindi cinema. She is married to filmmaker Suhrud Godbole and is known for roles in Gulmohar, Lajja, Navra Maza Bhavra, and Hindi films like Taare Zameen Par (2007), Shor In The City (2010), and Jawan (2023). On television and streaming platforms, her performances in Ladies Special, Modern Love: Mumbai, and Inspector Zende have showcased her range and longevity as an artist.
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