Actor Richa Chadha has come out strongly in support of Dia Mirza after the latter faced criticism on social media for sharing a story about her five-year-old son, Avyaan, encouraging a delivery agent to avoid using plastic.
The controversy began after Dia recalled an incident in which her son politely asked a coconut water delivery agent to remove the plastic bag and straw because plastic is not allowed in their home. While many appreciated the child’s awareness about environmental issues, others mocked Dia online, accusing her of hypocrisy and pointing out that she owns a luxury car.
As the criticism grew, Richa Chadha took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend her close friend and call out what she described as unnecessary online bullying.
In a strongly worded post, Richa questioned why actors often choose to stay silent on social issues, saying they are frequently criticised no matter what they do. She also raised concerns about the impact such constant trolling can have on celebrities’ mental health.
According to Richa, people are quick to attack public figures, especially women, whenever they speak about issues beyond entertainment. She argued that instead of appreciating someone trying to create awareness, social media often turns the conversation into personal attacks.
The actress also highlighted Dia Mirza’s long-standing environmental work. She pointed out that Dia is associated with initiatives promoting sustainable products, including a bamboo paper company and a plastic recycling startup. Richa also mentioned that Dia recently produced a short film on climate change, reflecting her continued commitment to environmental causes.
Sharing a personal example, Richa revealed that Dia had gifted her 1,100 trees as a wedding present. Inspired by that gesture, Richa said she later chose to gift trees to members of the media after the birth of her daughter.
She added that Dia contributes more towards environmental conservation in a day than many people who criticise her online, urging trolls to recognise the work she has been doing for years instead of targeting her.
The incident that sparked the debate came from a recent conversation in which Dia shared how her son reacted after a delivery arrived with plastic packaging. According to the actress, Avyaan politely told the delivery executive that plastic was not allowed in their home and requested him to take the plastic bag and straw back.
Actor Soha Ali Khan, who was part of the conversation, praised the young boy’s confidence and admired his willingness to speak up respectfully despite talking to an adult.
While the story was intended to encourage environmentally responsible habits among children, it soon became the subject of intense online debate.
Richa Chadha’s response has now shifted the conversation towards a broader issue—how social media criticism affects public figures and whether personal attacks discourage celebrities from speaking openly about causes they believe in.
As the discussion continues online, many users have praised Richa for standing by her friend and reminding people that meaningful conversations should not be overshadowed by unnecessary trolling.
