Actor Kangana Ranaut has voiced her concerns about the lack of dark-skinned Indian actresses in Bollywood, pointing out that the industry has shifted towards a preference for fairer complexions in recent years. Taking to her Instagram Stories, Kangana shared her thoughts on Monalisa Bhonsle, the “Mahakumbh girl” who recently went viral for her striking looks. The actress expressed her disappointment over the way Monalisa is being harassed for pictures and interviews, while also reflecting on the diminishing representation of dusky women in the glamour world.
Kangana posted a picture of Monalisa and wrote, “This young girl Monalisa has become an internet sensation for her natural beauty. As much as I hate people harassing her for pictures and interviews, I can’t help but think: do we have dark, dusky Indian-tone female representation in the glamour world anymore? Are people loving young actresses the way they loved Anu Agarwal, Kajol, Bipasha, Deepika, or Rani Mukerji?”
The actress went on to question the trend of fair skin among Bollywood actresses, remarking, “Why do all actresses look as pale as a white woman, including those who were dark in their younger days? Why don’t people identify newcomers the way they identify with Monalisa? Too much laser and glutathione injections?”
Kangana’s comments highlight a growing concern about colorism in the industry, where fair skin has often been celebrated over darker tones. Her remarks also shed light on the changing beauty standards and how they affect female representation in showbiz.
Monalisa’s Rise to Fame
Monalisa Bhonsle, a garland seller from Indore, gained attention during the Mahakumbh 2025 due to her natural beauty and striking features. However, her newfound fame brought along its own challenges. She faced harassment from men seeking selfies, and her family reportedly had to intervene and send her home to protect her from the overwhelming attention.
Kangana’s Recent Work
On the professional front, Kangana Ranaut was last seen in Emergency, a biographical political thriller that she also directed. The film, which portrays the final years of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure, including the Emergency period and Operation Bluestar, was released on January 17. Despite Kangana’s involvement in the film, Emergency received mixed-to-negative reviews and struggled at the box office.
Kangana’s comments regarding Monalisa and the representation of dark-skinned actresses in the industry have sparked conversations about the standards of beauty in Bollywood and the need for more diversity in mainstream cinema.