Esha Gupta REACTS to being called a 'sex symbol': '... this is something God has given me, something Kamdev has given me'

Time of India

3 days ago

Esha Gupta recently addressed her 'sex symbol' label in Bollywood, revealing the pressures and insecurities she faced. She shared how an agency dropped her due to a director-producer favoring another artist, making her feel insecure about her looks. Esha emphasized the label was imposed, not self-created, and criticized the industry's preference for a 'girl-next-door' image.
Esha Gupta
has never shied away from speaking her mind, and in a recent interview, she did just that—taking on the long-standing label of being a 'sex symbol' in Bollywood. Known for her bold screen presence and striking features, the actress got candid about the pressures, stereotypes, and insecurities she's faced in the industry.
From missed opportunities and unsolicited advice to embracing her natural beauty, Esha's reflections offer a raw and honest look at the price of perception in showbiz.
The conversation took a revealing turn when host Siddharth Kannan asked Esha about those who tried to pull her down in the industry. Esha shared that the agency she had hoped would launch her backed out—allegedly under pressure from a "director-producer" who was planning to debut another major artist instead.
To make matters worse, the same people made her feel insecure about her appearance, despite her striking looks being a major talking point.
The actress clarified that the stereotype of being a 'sex symbol' wasn't something she created for herself—it was imposed by others. She emphasized that it wasn't the media's fault either, but rather the people who influence the narratives fed to the media. Reflecting on the label, she questioned its meaning, pointing out that something like the Kamasutra represents a symbol of sex, not a person like her.
She went on to say that if people label her a sex symbol, it's only because of what she was naturally born with—something, she added, that's not entirely in her control. While she didn't see the title as entirely negative, she didn't view it as a compliment either. The constant stereotyping, she admitted, took a toll on her self-esteem, leaving her feeling underconfident about her appearance.
Esha further revealed that constant criticism made her question her appearance, making her feel she should tone down her looks to fit the "girl-next-door" image often preferred in the industry.
She pointed out the irony that while she was once made to feel insecure, many now undergo surgeries to look like her. The 39-year-old actress also recalled being advised by a male industry insider to get a nose job—but she chose to embrace her natural features instead, refusing to alter herself to fit someone else's standard.
On the work front, Esha, who made her Bollywood debut opposite
Emraan Hashmi
in Jannat 2, was last seen in the popular web series Aashram alongside Bobby Deol. She's now reportedly part of the ensemble cast of Dhamaal 4, which includes Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh,
Arshad Warsi
, Sanjay Mishra, and
Jaaved Jaaferi
, along with new additions like Sanjeeda Shaikh, Anjali Anand, and Upendra Limaye. The film is slated for a theatrical release on Eid 2026.