Based on a few conversations with industry insiders from Chennai, the general consensus is that groups of fans - those positioned against Dhanush and his clique - got together to orchestrate this huge and horrible hack. If true, this is a crushing thought, and a sobering reminder of how passionately and strongly hate-speech spreads across our social networks today.

Even if untrue, just look to the videos being uploaded to that unfortunate hashtag right now. (On second thought, don't look at them). So-called fans are putting up naked pictures of women, pointing to their birthmarks and claiming that they are popular actresses. These fake accounts are gathering up 50,000-1,50,000 followers merely by posting smut in the name of celebrity, and even with nothing to be seen, there is far too much finger-pointing. Gluttonous for scandal, the public is feasting on this nonsense simply because it sounds believable - simply because they are believing what they want to believe.

The truth is that even if the nastiest rumours perpetuated by these hyenas online was true, every single one of them, what it would prove would still be less dirty than what these hackers, voyeurs and abusers are doing right now. These are not fans, they are vultures.

(Raja Sen is a film critic, columnist and screenwriter. He is currently working on a children's book.)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.