From body-shaming to pay disparity: When Bollywood actresses hit back at injustice

While the life of a Bollywood actress is filled with glitz and glam, there is also a dark side which is facing body-shaming, ageism, pay disparity and much more. While all this is faced by women in general, it is only amplified when you are a public figure. But, time and again Bollywood actresses have proved that they are not just strong in their roles and on-screen but they are just as headstrong in their real life too.

From Priyanka Chopra shutting down the media for calling her just Nick Jonas’ wife, Anushka Sharma hitting back at derogatory comments to Vidya Balan shutting down questions about her weight, let’s look at the times when Bollywood actress hit back at injustice.

When Priyanka Chopra hit back at a media outlet for addressing her as Nick Jonas’ wife

Priyanka Chopra is never one to stay quiet and let anyone disrespect her. The actress has been all about women empowerment so when she was addressed as Nick Jonas’s wife by a media outlet, she set the record straight, “Very interesting that I’m promoting one of the most iconic film franchises of all time, and I’m still referenced as the wife of Nick Jonas. Please explain how this still happens to women? Should I add my IDMB link to my bio?”

 

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When Deepika Padukone talked about pay disparity.

It is no secret that pay disparity exists in Bollywood and while it is reducing over the years, female actresses have stood up against it. Deepika had once said in an interview, “I know my track record and what I’m worth. I know that his films haven’t been doing well as my films have been doing. It made absolutely no sense. I was okay to say no to that film based on that one thing, as I thought it was unfair.”

 

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A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone)

When Anushka Sharma hit back at derogatory remarks

Sunil Gavaskar had once made a controversial comment as he had said about Virat Kohli’s game and his wife Anushka, “Inhone lockdown me to bas Anushka ki gendon ki practice ki hain” Anushka could not let it pass as she took to her social media account and hit back, “That, Mr. Gavaskar, your message is distasteful is a fact but I would love for you to explain why you thought of making such a sweeping statement on a wife accusing her for her husband’s game? I`m sure over the years you have respected the private lives of every cricketer while commenting on the game. Don`t you think you should have an equal amount of respect for me and us?” “I`m sure you can have many other words and sentences in your mind to use to comment on my husband`s performance from last night, or your words only relevant if you use my name in the process?”

 

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When Katrina Kaif slayed with her witty sass

It was during the promotions of Jagga Jasoos that Katrina and Ranbir Kapoor were in an interview. Ranbir seemed to her answering Katrina’s questions about her character when the actress intervened and said that she is sitting right there when he is talking about his characters.

 

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When Sonam Kapoor had the best reply to being asked about her ‘career status after marriage’.

Sonam Kapoor is a happily married woman to Anand Ahuja and she is slaying it in movies too. So when she was asked by the media about her ‘career status after marriage’, she let them know, “Shahid Kapoor got married. Did anyone ask whether he will work or not? Nobody will ask this question to a man. There is very long way before it happens (changing of mindsets). People like Kareena are setting an example. She got married, and then she was on the sets, and after having a baby, she was on the sets.”

 

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When Vidya Balan shut down comments about her weight

Vidya Balan has always promoted body positivity and she encourages people to love themselves just the way they are, So when a reporter asked her about her roles and if she has any plans to lose weight for them, the actress hit back, “What’s the relationship between women-centric and weight loss?…..No, I’m very happy with the kinds of roles I am doing. It would be great if you could change your mindset.”

 

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A post shared by Vidya Balan (@balanvidya)

Taapsee Pannu dealing with trolls like a queen

Taapsee Pannu has been subjected to a lot of trolling online given her fearless opinions and roles. The actress was once called a ‘mard ki body wali’ by a troll when she shut them down with a reply, “All I will say is…. Just remember this line and wait for 23rd September 🙂 And advance mein THANK YOU I really worked hard for this compliment”

 

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When Sushmita Sen preached putting yourself first

Sushmita en recently broke up with her longtime boyfriend Rohman Shawl. Then a few days later, the actress had shared a video of herself enjoying her time with her daughters. Sushmita gave quite the example of gracefully moving on just like she had said in an Instagram post, “Everything begins and ends with us in very many ways. And being a little selfish is not a bad thing. Denying you’re is.”

 

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A post shared by Sushmita Sen (@sushmitasen47)

When Malaika Arora stood up against ageism

Maliaka Arora is a 46-year-old diva with a humongous fan following online and she is giving her best life as she has said multiple times. She is often bashed for her relationship with a younger man Arjun Kapoor who is 36 years old, but Malaika just makes it in her stride, “Normalize finding love in your ‘40s. Normalize discovering and chasing new dreams in your 30’s. Normalize finding yourself and your purpose in your 50’s. Life doesn’t end at 25. Let’s stop acting like it does.”

 

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When Swara Bhasker called out the star-driven Bollywood

Swara Bhasker has often been trolled for her opinions which are not always sugar-coated. But Swara could fear any less about what people think including in the industry that she is part of as she had once stated that Bollywood is about stars and relationships, “Bollywood, as an industry, is based on relationships. It has always been star-driven, and it has an element of feudalism.”

 

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A post shared by Swara Bhasker (@reallyswara)

Also Read: Akshay Kumar, Neha Dhupia to Hrithik Roshan: Bollywood celebs who flaunted their grey hair with pride