Breaking into Bollywood is no easy feat, especially for those with no family connections or a glamorous background.
Many stars faced criticism about their looks and capabilities early in their careers but defied the odds to reach stardom.
Shah Rukh Khan:
SRK, known as the “King of Bollywood,” once revealed that a director called him “ordinary and ugly.” Despite this, he became a global icon with a career spanning over three decades.
Anushka Sharma:
Anushka Sharma faced similar criticism from filmmaker Aditya Chopra, who told her she wasn’t beautiful enough for films but had potential. Anushka worked tirelessly, delivering hit after hit and silencing her critics.
Ranveer Singh:
Ranveer Singh, too, was advised by Chopra to focus on his acting rather than his unconventional looks. Today, he is among Bollywood’s most sought-after actors.
Vidya Balan:
Vidya Balan, who transitioned from TV to films, recalled being labelled unattractive by a producer, which led to her being dropped from 13 films. Undeterred, she carved out a unique niche for herself in the industry.
Other stars like Taapsee Pannu, Rajkummar Rao, and Richa Chadha also faced body shaming and criticism but used it as fuel to excel. Their journeys serve as powerful reminders of how perseverance and talent can triumph over judgment and prejudice.
