Faria Abdullah Responds to Bonalu Trolling, Says She Will Continue to Choose Love and Unity

Tollywood actress Faria Abdullah has responded emotionally to the criticism she faced after participating in Hyderabad’s Bonalu celebrations. The actress, who became a talking point on social media after joining the festivities, addressed the negative comments in an emotional video and spoke about her personal understanding of faith, love and harmony.

Faria, best known for her role in Jathi Ratnalu, recently took part in Bonalu celebrations in Hyderabad. She was seen carrying a Bonam alongside Hindu women and joining the festive procession. Her energetic dance with Pothurajus also drew considerable attention online, with videos from the celebrations circulating widely on social media.

While many viewers appreciated her participation and enthusiasm, the actress also faced criticism from some sections of social media users. According to the report, some Muslim commenters questioned her decision to participate in the Hindu festival and used religiously charged language against her. The backlash appeared to deeply affect Faria, prompting her to speak publicly about the experience.

In her video, Faria explained that her approach to religion comes from the values with which she was raised. She spoke about her father’s connection with Islam and said that he introduced her to what he considered the positive aspects of the faith. Rather than responding to the criticism with anger, she expressed a wish that even those who disagreed with her would experience goodness in their lives.

The actress also reflected on the way she views life and spirituality. She described finding a sense of life and wonder in nature and in different forms of existence around her. For Faria, spirituality is closely connected with recognising humanity and goodness in other people rather than limiting faith to a narrow interpretation.

Her message centred strongly on love, unity and peace. Faria said that she chooses to pray for these values and intends to continue doing so. She also made it clear that she does not want to answer hatred with hatred. Instead, she said she would respond to people who dislike her by extending more love and wishing them well.

The actress’ emotional response comes after her Bonalu appearance had initially attracted attention for very different reasons. During the celebrations, Faria appeared comfortable participating in the local traditions and embraced the lively atmosphere of the festival. She also spoke warmly about Telangana culture, describing its inclusive nature and the way people come together during celebrations.

Her participation had already generated positive reactions online. Videos showed the actress dancing enthusiastically to traditional beats, while another moment in which she spoke emotionally about Telangana culture also attracted attention. Her Bonalu appearance therefore became a mixture of celebration, cultural appreciation and, later, a debate over religious identity.

In her latest statement, however, Faria appeared more interested in explaining her outlook than engaging in a confrontation with her critics. She questioned how something as expansive as the concept of divine light could be restricted to a narrow understanding. Her comments reflected her belief that faith should bring people together rather than create divisions.

The incident has also highlighted the complicated relationship celebrities often have with social media. A public appearance that may be intended simply as participation in a cultural celebration can quickly become the subject of intense online debate. For actors with large public profiles, personal choices are frequently examined through the lens of identity, religion and public expectations.

For Faria, the episode appears to have reinforced rather than changed her personal philosophy. Despite becoming emotional while discussing the trolling, she maintained that she would continue to choose love, unity and peace. Her response has consequently shifted the conversation away from the controversy surrounding her Bonalu appearance and towards her broader message about respecting different beliefs.

On the professional front, Faria continues to be associated with Telugu cinema following her breakthrough in Jathi Ratnalu. She has subsequently appeared in films including Bangarraju, Like Share & Subscribe, Ravanasura, Aa Okkati Adakku, Kalki 2898 AD, Mathu Vadalara 2, Gurram Papi Reddy and Gayapadda Simham. Her upcoming film Sigma is also set to release soon.

As the Bonalu controversy continues to circulate online, Faria’s message remains clear: she does not intend to let criticism determine how she expresses her appreciation for culture or how she understands faith. Instead, the actress has chosen to answer the backlash with a call for compassion, togetherness and peace.