Telugu Actor Faria Abdullah Gets Emotional Over Bonalu Trolling
Hyderabad: Telugu actor Faria Abdullah has opened up about the online criticism she faced after participating in the Bonalu celebrations in Hyderabad, saying the trolling left her emotional but would not change the way she looks at people, faith or religion.
Faria took part in the festivities on August 10 at the Sri Mahankaleshwara Ammavari Temple in Miralam Mandi. Dressed in traditional attire, she carried a Bonam and joined other devotees in the celebrations.
While many appreciated her participation, some social media users questioned why the actor had attended a Hindu festival. The comments prompted Faria to speak publicly about her upbringing and her understanding of different religions.
‘My dad is a converted Muslim’
In an emotional video shared on social media, Faria spoke about her father and the values she grew up with.
“My dad is a converted Muslim. Do you understand what that means? He got converted to Islam because he liked the religion,” she said.
Faria explained that her childhood taught her to appreciate the positive aspects of different faiths rather than view them through the lens of division.
She said her upbringing allowed her to see the goodness in Islam and encouraged her to approach religion with openness and understanding.
‘I want to be aggressive about my love’
Faria became visibly emotional while addressing those who had criticised her.
Rather than responding with anger, she said she wanted to answer the negativity with love.
“I want to be aggressive about my love, and I will,” she said, adding that she would continue sending love even to people who were currently criticising her.
The actor said her experiences had taught her the importance of love, blessings and gratitude, and that online criticism would not change those beliefs.
Her childhood understanding of faith
Faria also recalled a conversation with her mother from when she was a child.
She said she once asked her mother what the word “Allah” meant. According to Faria, her mother explained it as “light” and something encompassing everything.
Reflecting on that memory, Faria questioned why anyone would want to exclude something from a concept she understood as being all-encompassing.
Her comments reflected her broader message that faith should not necessarily be viewed as a reason to divide people.
What is Bonalu?
Bonalu is one of Telangana’s most important traditional festivals and is dedicated to Goddess Mahakali.
The festival is celebrated during Ashada Masam, particularly across Hyderabad, Secunderabad and other parts of Telangana.
One of the central traditions is the Bonam—a food offering prepared by devotees, particularly women, and carried to temples as an offering to the Goddess.
The festivities are also known for colourful processions, music, dancing and large gatherings of devotees.
For Faria, who was born and raised in Hyderabad, participating in a festival that is deeply connected to the city’s cultural identity was something she chose to embrace.
Faria Abdullah’s film journey
Faria made her Telugu cinema debut with the popular film Jathi Ratnalu in 2021.
She subsequently appeared in films including Ravanasura, Like, Share & Subscribe and Mathu Vadalara 2.
Her response to the Bonalu controversy has now sparked a wider conversation about religious harmony, personal faith and the freedom to participate in cultural traditions without being defined by religious boundaries.
Despite the criticism, Faria made it clear that she does not intend to let social media trolling change the way she approaches people or faith.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
