Anjali Anand, who made her debut with Karan Johar‘s directorial Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, recently opened up about the unfair labeling of women as ‘plus-size actors’ while male actors are not subjected to the same scrutiny. She questioned why stars like Govinda and Rishi Kapoor were never referred to as plus-size, yet women are consistently reduced to such labels.
Speaking with Fever FM, Anjali highlighted the lack of acceptance for women who don’t fit conventional beauty standards in Bollywood. “Nobody ever questioned when Govinda and Hrithik looked very different. But nobody would call Govinda or Rishi Kapoor a plus-size actor. He is just an actor. But for a woman, I’m always called a plus-size actor. I hate talking about it. We need to normalise it,” she said.
Anjali also revealed that audiences are still not ready to see her as a lead in films. “I need a big production to back that this girl can also be the heroine of a film,” she added.
Anjali Anand: I am happy that my friend Shiv is with me in the show
She further pointed out the industry’s double standards, referencing Vidya Balan’s portrayal of Silk Smitha. “When a woman does something, a Silk Smitha character Vidya Balan is playing, then it’s like a hoo-ha, ‘OMG, look at her stomach, why? Why have we never asked men, ‘Is he a plus-sized actor?’ Have you ever seen someone call a man plus-sized actor? No. So why am I being called one?” she questioned.
Anjali Anand is part of the ensemble cast of Dabba Cartel, alongside Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, and others.
