Bollywood has always had a notorious reputation for peddling stereotypes. Classic stalker symptoms are seen through rose-tinted filters while body-shaming is casual and rampant.
If we look at instances of fat-shaming in Bollywood, the examples reveal the utter disrespect with which we’ve treated men and women of a certain body type. From using fat characters as comic relief to downright labelling them as ‘outsiders’ in society, when do we start holding the industry responsible?
Not only has this behaviour extended to on screen representation, such a toxic mentality finds it realisation off screen as well. Back in 2016, late actor Mr Rishi Kapoor, who was known for his outspokenness told DNA, “I couldn’t believe it when they recently gave an award to Parineeti Chopra for losing weight. Can someone please give me an award for gaining weight?”
This was in reference to the Stardust Style Icon Award that the actress received that year. Such statements not only disregard the plight of individuals and their journey with their bodies, but also propagates a culture that is intolerant towards body confidence.
In our films too, such incidents are endless. A classic example would be Sweetu from Kal Ho Naa Ho. Thank god the film was released when such heightened awareness did not rule the viewing class. Sweetu is that stereotypical fat girl—unhappy in life, unlovable and only present for comic relief.
However, if you think the 2000s were unfair to fat people, think again! Even in 2021, we are confronted with similar tropes and stereotypes. Here are a few prominent examples.
1. ‘Kabir Singh’
This movie has a lot of glaring flaws and back-handed fat-shaming is definitely one of them. In one of the scenes, Kabir says, “Fat chicks are like teddy bears. They are soft and loyal. Fat chicks and good looking chicks are a good combination.” There are a lot of issues here to unpack and we’re not here for any of it.
Credit: Giphy/T-Series
2. ‘Bodyguard’
Sallu bhai has been in a number of problematic films but the character of Tsunami Singh takes the cake. Named after a natural calamity, this character comes with his own special effects. People passing him by call him ‘fatso’ and he obviously cannot catch a running bus because how do fat people run? We needed a pause button after this one.
Credit: YouTube/Reliance Entertainment
3. ‘Judwaa 2’
Another of our finest problematic films, this movie works the trope that a fat policewoman cannot catch Varun Dhawan’s character because she must be unfit.
Credit: Giphy/Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment
4. ‘Ghoomketu’
This Nawazuddin Siddiqui film packed in a lot of stereotypes for its audiences. His character is prominently seen cringing at his wife’s weight to the extent that he actually leaves her. Upon return, she’s shown to lose weight and turn ‘beautiful’ in his eyes. What in the world?
Credit: YouTube/Zee5
5. ‘Diljale’
Where do we even start with this one? This Ajay Devgn-Sonali Bendre movie actually has a 5:48 min song dedicated to fat-shaming. The lyrics go “ho nahi sakta” with everyone laughing at a fat girl and shows his character asking his male friends to save his “izzat”. Watch it to believe it!
Credit: YouTube/Bollywood Classics
Lead image credit: T-Series + Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment
