Imagine waking up to thousands of new followers, compliments pouring in, and strangers suddenly calling you a ‘national crush’. Sounds like the dream side of internet fame, right? For actress Girija Oak, however, the sudden attention came with an uncomfortable and disturbing twist.

Oak, who has spent more than two decades working across Hindi and Marathi entertainment, recently found herself at the centre of an unexpected social media frenzy after her bold photographs went viral.

Her looks prompted comparisons with Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney, with some social media users even dubbing her ‘India’s Sydney Sweeney’.

However, behind the flattering comments was a much darker side of the sudden attention.

In an old interview with The Lallantop, Oak opened up about the kind of messages that began landing in her social media inbox after her photos gained traction online.

According to the actress, some strangers crossed all boundaries while approaching her virtually.

Oak recalled receiving messages from people making inappropriate propositions and asking her for a chance.

One person allegedly told her that he could do anything for her if she gave him an opportunity.

Another message left her particularly stunned, with the sender asking about her ‘rate’ for spending an hour with him.

The actress said such messages are not unusual for her anymore. What she finds particularly strange, however, is the contrast between the way people behave online and how they act when they encounter her in person.

Oak pointed out that some of the very people who make inappropriate comments from behind a screen would perhaps not even be able to look her in the eye if they met her in real life.

She also spoke about the peculiar nature of virtual fame, saying that people who behave very differently online can be extremely warm and respectful when they meet her face-to-face.

The sudden attention may have changed how social media users perceive Oak, but her career predates her latest internet popularity by several years.

She has appeared in projects including 'Taare Zameen Par' (2007), 'Shor in the City' (2010), 'Ladies Special' (2011) and 'Modern Love: Mumbai' (2022).

Her experience is a reminder that going viral can bring visibility and admiration, but it can also expose celebrities to an entirely different kind of online behaviour, where the anonymity of a screen often makes people say things they might never dare to say in person.