Anjali Anand, the actress who played a pivotal role in 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani', has opened up about the industry's evolving approach to plus-size representation, particularly in the context of Karan Johar's film. In an exclusive interview, she reveals how her journey in the film industry has been marked by both progress and setbacks, especially regarding body image and the types of roles offered to plus-size actors.
Anjali's experience in the industry has been a stark contrast to her real-life self. She shares, "In real life, Anjali has never needed to take that stand; no one has the guts to come and tell me anything. Nobody sees my weight first. In my private life, people just praise me for the person I am. 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' changed the industry's approach, but that also put me in a box which I tried to change with 'Dabba Cartel' and 'Raat Jawan Hai.'"
The actress's portrayal of a confident, body-positive character in 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' was a significant step forward in her career. She explains, "My character taking a stand for herself against body shaming in 'Rocky aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani'. It was not something that had happened before. Earlier, a fat girl was just a fat girl in a film, who was only eating large portions of food. She was only there for comic relief, where someone was falling on her, or she was having a burger. Nobody had seen a fat person having a voice."
However, Anjali's recent involvement in 'Dhamaal 4' has sparked controversy. The film, directed by Indra Kumar, features weight-targeted jokes directed at Anjali, leading to online trolling and criticism. She states, "People often say that to me, that how can you do a film like this, when you are so vocal and stand against people making fun of somebody. But this is the society, people are still making fun of me after I have proven myself. People are still trolling me online."
Despite the backlash, Anjali remains steadfast in her beliefs. She believes that until society changes, scripts won't change. She adds, "Until society changes, scripts won't change. It's a complex issue, and it requires a collective effort to challenge the status quo."
Anjali's journey highlights the ongoing struggle for plus-size representation in the film industry. Her voice and experiences serve as a powerful reminder of the need for diverse and inclusive storytelling, where actors are not defined by their body type but by their talent and ability to captivate audiences.
