Actress Huma Qureshi, who made a memorable debut with the 2012 film Gangs of Wasseypur, recently shared an insightful anecdote about a random encounter with filmmaker David Dhawan shortly after the success of her debut film. In an interview with Mashable India, the actress recalled how a chance meeting at a coffee shop led to a piece of advice that has stayed with her throughout her career.
“I have been so blessed, I have been accepted from my first film,” Huma said, reflecting on the warm reception she received post-Gangs of Wasseypur. “Just after the film, I bumped into David Dhawan at a coffee shop. I was starstruck. I thought, ‘Wow, David Dhawan!’ And then he walked up to me, and he didn’t have to do that.”
What followed was advice that would shape her approach to both her career and personal image. “He said, ‘Beta, you are a very good actor. Tereko bahaut log bolenge weight lose karle, surgery karle, kuch nahi karna. The audience has accepted you. And once the audience accepts you, you don’t need anything. You have to understand that you have to entertain your audience,’” Huma recalled.
The advice, which discouraged the pressures of conforming to beauty standards and cosmetic surgery, left a lasting impression on the actress. “I was like, ‘That’s really good advice.’ And that coming from industry seniors, when they just randomly meet you and give you this advice, you just write it down: ‘Yeh bhoolna nahi hai,’” Huma added, referring to the importance of holding onto valuable guidance.
Huma, who ventured into producing the 2022 film Double XL, also spoke candidly about body image issues and the toxicity surrounding it in the industry. “The problem is, in our country, nobody is happy with what they have. The grass is always greener on the other side,” she said, addressing the constant pressure to conform to societal beauty standards. “If you start fixing one thing, you’ll just keep going—fixing your nose, your chin, and so on. Just let people be. Nobody is supposed to look perfect.”
In her signature humorous style, Huma jokingly added, “Already so many people hit on me, if I get more perfect, it will be the end of the world.”
Huma’s reflections serve as a reminder of the importance of self-acceptance in an industry where beauty standards are often heavily scrutinized. Her candid approach to body image and confidence has earned her admiration not just for her talent, but for her authenticity in the face of societal expectations.