Varun Dhawan recently opened up about unsettling experiences with stalkers, including instances where some people have camped out for days and even managed to enter his home.
When asked about advice on dealing with stalkers on The Ranveer Show podcast, the Bhediya actor replied, “Bro, no. I’ve had some weird stuff where people have run away from their homes and come and stayed 3 to 3 nights on a beach. We’ve had to call the cops.”
One case involved a woman who was reportedly catfished by someone pretending to be Varun. Eventually, the situation escalated to the point where the police had to be involved. He said, “I’ve had a person, mere ghar mein entry…and that lady was the wife of a very powerful man. Unko kisi ne catfish kiya tha shayad, ki mere naam se baat kiya tha unke saath. Aur unko sab pata tha ghar ke baare mein. Unko laga ki I am going to leave my family and be with her, it all became very scary. Called the cops.”
Catfishing, where someone creates a fake identity to deceive others, is a growing concern in the digital age. It can have serious emotional and psychological effects on victims, leading to distress, betrayal, and even dangerous real-life consequences.
But what psychological factors make people vulnerable to catfishing, even when red flags are present?
Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, The Answer Room, tells indianexpress.com, “Catfishing, where someone creates a fake identity to deceive others, thrives on emotional and psychological vulnerabilities. Several factors contribute to a person’s susceptibility to this deception.”
One major factor is loneliness and emotional needs, she says. “Individuals who feel isolated or crave connection may overlook inconsistencies in the catfish’s story because they desperately want the relationship to be real. The emotional void they seek to fill can cloud their judgment, making them more vulnerable to manipulation.”
The expert notes that another key element is idealisation and fantasy thinking. The brain tends to fill in gaps with what we want to believe. If the catfish presents an ideal version of a romantic relationship or claims a celebrity connection, the victim may ignore logical doubts and warning signs, clinging to the fantasy rather than facing reality.
Manipulation tactics also play a significant role. Catfishers often employ psychological grooming techniques, such as love bombing — excessive flattery and attention — to establish trust and deepen emotional attachment quickly. Once the victim is emotionally invested, the catfisher may introduce requests for money, secrecy, or other forms of exploitation.
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How does being catfished impact a person’s emotional well-being and trust in future relationships?
Discovering that an emotional connection was built on deception can have lasting effects on mental health. Some of them, according to Khangarot, are:
– Betrayal Trauma: A person may struggle to trust not only strangers but their judgment.
– Shame and Embarrassment: Victims often blame themselves for falling for the deception, leading to withdrawal from social circles.
– Hypervigilance and Paranoia: Some people develop an extreme fear of online interactions questioning the authenticity of future relationships.
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– Depression and Anxiety: The emotional investment and subsequent loss can lead to symptoms of grief, sadness, and anxiety about being deceived again.
“Individuals must be aware of their psychological vulnerabilities, recognise manipulation tactics and seek professional help if they find themselves struggling with trust or obsessive thoughts,” suggests Khangarot.
