Bollywood actress Sonali Bendre, who has charmed audiences with her performances in hit movies like Sarfarosh and Hum Saath Saath Hain, recently opened up about the pressures she faced in the ‘90s film industry. In a candid revelation, she shared that producers tried to “fatten her up” because they wanted curves. This insight provides a glimpse into actresses’ unspoken expectations and pressures during this era.
The Struggle To Conform To Beauty Standards
Sonali Bendre shared that during her early years in the industry, there was an unspoken expectation for actresses to conform to specific beauty standards. This often included having a curvy figure, which led to producers trying to make her gain weight. The relentless pressure to fit into a particular mold and meet these beauty standards was a significant part of her journey in the industry, evoking a sense of empathy for her experience. She said:
“When I came into the industry, heroines didn’t used to be this skinny. Every producer was trying to fatten me up all the time. “eat eat eat, bahut patli hai” (she is too thin), pointing out the pressure to have a curvier body type. “They wanted curves . At that time, they wanted women who were curvaceous and voluptuous and who had curls in their hair. And I was straight black hair and I was skinny.”
The Impact On Self-Image And Confidence
The pressure to conform to these standards significantly impacted Sonali’s self-image and confidence. She had to grapple with the industry’s narrow definition of beauty and the constant scrutiny of her appearance. This experience sheds light on the challenges that actresses often face in the industry, where their physical appearance can sometimes overshadow their talent and skills.
“I didn’t really think of it like that, because I never thought I was on top of my game, clearly didn’t feel that that’s still to happen. Yeah, I genuinely feel that it never felt like I was on top of my game. When I got into the industry, I was not trained as an actor. I was not trained as a dancer. I was just fumbling and learning on the job. That kept me nervous and I never really enjoyed the journey. When you’re on top of the game, and you’re enjoying the journey. You’re enjoying what you’re doing on a day-to-day basis. I was too scared.”
.@iamsonalibendre Reveals Why she l Didn’t Enjoy Her Acting Career| Shriya … https://t.co/gfnkLHQ2EL via @YouTube #thebrokennews #WorldPressFreedomDay
— Puja Talwar (@talwar_puja) May 2, 2024
The Shift In Perspective
Notwithstanding the difficulties, Sonali Bendre’s metamorphosis and journey were essential to her prosperous Bollywood career. Her resilience and ability to shift her focus from her physical appearance to her talent not only helped her navigate the pressures of the industry but also served as an inspiration for others, highlighting the potential for change in the industry’s beauty standards.