Telugu creators in US face backlash over viral dance videos
HYDERABAD: Telugu content creators in the United States are facing a surge in online hate and targeted harassment after their dance videos, filmed in public spaces, went viral on social media.
In recent weeks, several clips showed Telugu individuals performing dances in front of monuments, historic buildings and busy public areas. While some online users criticised the choice of locations, others escalated the issue by sharing personal details, contacting employers and posting anti-immigrant comments.
One such case involved Madhu Raju, who filmed a dance video at the World War II Memorial in Washington. The video drew sharp reactions online, including calls for deportation. Groups reportedly doxxed him, revealed that he ran a dance studio in Dallas and pressured his employers. Raju has since deleted his videos and deactivated his social media accounts.
Observers say the backlash reflects deeper anti-immigrant sentiment in parts of the US. Jeevana, a native of Nalgonda living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, said she had experienced similar hostility.
“I have been making social media content for almost a year now, and I can see how severely people spread hate about Indian creators. They blurt racist slurs, spam comments and inboxes. All for making social media content?” she told Deccan Chronicle.
Within the Telugu community, opinion remains divided. Some members argue that filming dance routines at sensitive locations may appear disrespectful and invite scrutiny.
V. Ramesh, general secretary of a Telugu organisation in the US, said: “These videos suddenly put the entire community under a microscope. It invites unnecessary attention, and that is dangerous in today’s political climate.”
He added that such actions could affect the professional and social standing of Indians in the US. However, he condemned the harassment faced by creators.
“Yes, dances at memorials are wrong. But harming someone’s career over a video is completely out of hand. It is online vigilantism,” he said.
