Malvika Sitlani faces heat over 'aesthetic' Instagram story after mother’s death: " It's so disrespectful..."

Influencer and entrepreneur Malvika Sitlani is going through an unimaginable loss. Just days after sharing that her mother, Jenifer Sitlani, had passed away, Malvika’s latest Instagram story has sparked heated debate online. While many followers sent her strength and prayers, a section of the internet has accused her of being “insensitive” during a deeply personal moment. Here’s what happened.

An Emotional Goodbye

Seven days ago, Malvika shared a series of photos with her mother and wrote, “She’s all yours, Jesus ??🕊?🙏🏼 Mumma. Life will never be the same again.” On Tuesday, she posted another story holding a white flower, with the words, “said our final bye to maa today.” The post appeared to mark her mother’s last rites.

For Malvika, it was clearly a farewell filled with grief. Her mother, a cancer survivor for over 20 years, had been battling the disease after it returned for the third time. The influencer had earlier opened up about the emotional and financial toll of the treatment.

Internet Reacts: ‘Insensitive’ Or Just Grieving Differently?

Soon after her story went live, screenshots began circulating on Reddit. A thread discussing her post gained traction, with several users questioning why she chose to share a picture on the day of the funeral.

Some comments read, “So she basically created and posted content even before her mom’s funeral?” and “Yes it’s my mother’s funeral but let me take an aesthetic picture for Instagram.”

A few users even speculated whether she had delayed announcing her mother’s passing, while others went as far as calling her “attention-seeking.” One harsh remark accused her of enjoying the attention she was receiving during this time.

However, there were also voices defending her, reminding others that grief looks different for everyone, especially for someone whose life and career revolve around social media.

The Fundraiser And Public Scrutiny

When her mother’s condition worsened, Malvika had shared a fundraiser link with her 7 lakh followers. She had written that she never imagined she would have to ask for help but felt compelled to do so. At the time of writing, over 1,600 donors had contributed approximately Rs 28.68 lakh toward Jenifer’s treatment.

While many praised her transparency, critics have now revisited those posts, questioning her online presence and timing of updates. In the world of influencers, where personal and public life often blur, moments of mourning can become subjects of public judgment. As Malvika navigates her loss, the debate raises a larger question should grief come with rules, especially in the age of social media?