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Time of India
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'I wasn't milky white': How a director's comment about skin colour cost Vaani Kapoor a movie role
Actor Vaani Kapoor has opened up about facing colourism and body shaming during her journey in Bollywood. In an interview with News18 Showsha, she revealed that she was once dropped from a film because a filmmaker felt she wasn't "milky white" enough. Over the years, she has also been criticised for being "too skinny" and told to gain weight. Despite the judgment, Vaani has remained confident in her appearance and focused on her work. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Rejected for Not Being 'Milky White' Constant Comments on Her Body Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Work That Speaks for Itself Actor Vaani Kapoor , who entered Bollywood over a decade ago, recently spoke about the discrimination she faced early in her career. Despite having no film industry connections, she made her debut with Shuddh Desi Romance in 2013 and has since worked in several high-profile films. But her journey, as she revealed was marked by industry bias and judgment—not for her talent, but for her a conversation with News18 Showsha, one of the most revealing moments Kapoor shared was being dropped from a film because of her skin tone. The decision came from a filmmaker who believed she wasn't 'milky white' enough to suit the role. Though the comment didn't come directly to her, she heard about it through others in the than letting the remark affect her self-worth, Vaani decided to set her own standards. She recalled telling herself that if fairness was a criterion, she would rather not be part of such a project. She added that the filmmaker in question was not based in Mumbai and that the incident happened early in her today, Vaani continues to face scrutiny—this time for her body type. She shared that she often hears comments suggesting she is too skinny and should gain weight, reflecting another persistent stereotype in the industry about the ideal female body type. Despite the remarks, she maintains a positive outlook, saying she feels fit and healthy, and doesn't see any reason to change admitted that while some comments might come across as advice or concern, she prefers to stay true to who she is rather than conform to external the years, Vaani Kapoor has steadily built her filmography with roles in movies like Befikre, War, Bell Bottom, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, Khel Khel Mein, and Raid 2. She is now preparing for her digital series debut with Mandala Murders, a Netflix crime thriller set in a mysterious town called show, co-directed by Gopi Puthran and Manan Rawat, follows detectives unraveling a series of ritualistic murders linked to a secret society. Kapoor plays Rea Thomas, a determined investigator. The series also stars Surveen Chawla, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Jameel Khan, and is scheduled to premiere on July 25.
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Vaani Kapoor reveals she lost a film as she wasn't ‘milky white'; recalls body shaming for being ‘skinny': ‘People like women with fuller bodies'
No matter how you look, there will always be someone ready to judge you, especially if you're a celebrity. And among celebrities too, women often have it worse, as is unfortunately the norm. Actor Vaani Kapoor, too, is no stranger to body shaming, and she recently recalled an incident from the beginning of her career when she lost a project because the director felt she wasn't fair-skinned enough. Shockingly, his words were that she 'wasn't milky white', highlighting the industry's blatant colourist tendencies. Opening up about show business' obsession with fair skin, Vaani shared how she was dropped from the film simply because she didn't fit that mould. 'I haven't been told directly, but information reaches via other people. A filmmaker had once said that I wasn't fair enough to land a role. He said that I wasn't 'milky white'. I told myself that it is what it is. If that's a requirement, I don't want to be a part of his projects. The feelings are completely mutual there. He can find his 'milky white beauty' or his 'fair and lovely' woman. I know that I can find a better filmmaker for myself. This happened ages ago. And that filmmaker wasn't from Mumbai,' she shared during a chat with News18. An outsider with no prior connections to the film industry, Vaani Kapoor made her acting debut in the Sushant Singh Rajput and Parineeti Chopra-starrer Shuddh Desi Romance (2013). Although she made a strong impression with her very first film, Vaani continued to face body shaming in the years that followed. 'What I hear a lot sometimes is that I'm too skinny and that I should put on some weight because people like women with 'fuller bodies'. But I like me! I don't want to change anything about myself. I'm fit and healthy. I usually don't get bothered by these things. Sometimes, you don't know if such comments are coming from a place of concern or like a gold advice. But I think I'm pretty okay and I like who I am,' she added. After appearing in movies like Aaha Kalyanam (2014), Befikre (2016), War (2019), Bell Bottom (2021), Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021), Khel Khel Mein (2024) and Raid 2 (2025), she is now gearing up for her streaming series debut with the Netflix thriller Mandala Murders, which begins streaming on July 25.
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First Post
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Netflix's 'Mandala Murders' actress Vaani Kapoor on her working hours amid Deepika Padukone's shift demand: 'There are times when I worked for 16 hours a day but...'
In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Kapoor spoke about her prep for this character that sees her in the role of a cop, digging deeper in the world of murders and mysteries, and her take on actors' working hours read more Vaani Kapoor is gearing up for YRF and Netflix's Mandala Murders that will stream on the OTT giant from July 25. The actress has acted in films like Shuddh Desi Romance, Befikre, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, Khel Khel Mein, Bell Bottom, and is fresh off the success of Raid 2. In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Kapoor spoke about her prep for this character that sees her in the role of a cop, digging deeper in the world of murders and mysteries, and her take on actors' working hours after the debate that has sparked around Deepika Padukone's shift demand. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Edited excerpts from the interview This does not look like a regular cat and mouse whodunnit. The trailer suggests it digs deeper. What can we expect? Like you said, it's a fictional world setup with crime, which is blended into drama. There's mythology involved. There's a whole fictional world, there's so many things that one can resonate with when it comes to human emotions. There are complexities, one can wonder, and you know, when you're sitting alone, you can actually think how far am I willing to go for my belief in something. What is my purpose? How far am I willing to make this choice? Am I willing to face a consequence like that? I am aware of the consequences which are around that the choice that I make. So I feel it just makes you wonder, it makes you question, it leaves a lot of room for food for thought for the audience. Raid 2 did really well. Khel Khel Mein got some fabulous response, and now the trailer of Mandala Murders also looks exciting. What are the comments that make you validated as an actor? You're not just making cinema to sit in the comfort of your living room and watching it alone. You want people to watch it, celebrate that with you. If I can make a difference or an impact on any level with the audiences and there's somebody sitting in their house or wherever in life and can build a cord and build a connection to the character. If that can inspire somebody. I feel my job is done well. And more audiences who will give me love the merrier I am. We have seen so many female officers of late, so how did it feel to play an officer? I tried to, they've done brilliant jobs in the past. I love Mardaani. Rani Mukerji is untouchable and one of the finest, brilliant actors I have ever seen on screen and in the cinema. But Riya is somebody who also is very human, like she's more real, she's not always led by strength. There are times when she's also kind of fighting her own demons. There's a personal life, a person can be complexed. There are times when she's led by strength and there are times when she has breakdowns, like any normal human being. There are things that have left an impact on her mind, in her life. I think that the very nice concoction of having weakness and not weakness, but vulnerability and strength is what excited me. Since you have dabbled with films, OTT, there are a string of interviews happening. After a point, can it get exhausting? Do you sometimes tell your directors or anybody that you can only contribute this much in a particular day? Main bolti hoon 12 ghante koi sunta nahin hai meri. I say it should be in the contract and let's follow that. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As much as my intention is to deliver and there are times, many times there are certain projects where I've worked for 15, 16 hours a day, every day. Every single day. But as an act only to better my job, I need to replenish myself. You know, after a point I can't speak to each other, but I feel like it's unhealthy for me, because I will not deliver my best at the Nth hour. When you set up a closeup right at the end of the day after 14 hours, 15 hours, you're delivering something where I'm semi- facing brainfall, I'm tired, I'm fatigued, I'm not sleeping well. And this happens for many, many, many, many, many, many days. And then one day you're just like, I want to give this the drive, but I'm giving up, I need to sleep. There are times when I'm just sleeping for three, four hours. And the next day you're supposed to look fresh, because the same audience will be yeh kya dikh rahi hai. But I know that I've not slept in 10 days. I'm not slept at all, as a human being, you need seven, eight hours of sleep. It's not coming out of some luxury of life that I'm asking. I'm not demanding luxury, but I do need to replenish myself. So the next day when I show up, I'm all there. I'm fresh. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I can contribute better. I can add more to it. When my brain is sharp, when I'm alert, I'm aware. I'm rested, well rested. So I have said all of that, which is why you write that all in the contract for pretty much every project when it's needed and there, I'm a team player and I've never walked out of it and I would never do that. I find that highly unprofessional. I just hope it could be a mutual understanding that, okay, let's plan the day better. You have these because there are days when you're just waiting in your van for many, many hours. And it's a futile thing. You just plan it better. It's all about the planning. I don't think I've ever held a thing that main nahin rukoongi and I am walking out, never. I mean, you can't do that. I respect my craft, I respect my work, I'm grateful for the job. But I also need to deliver my best for that, I think 12 hours is a decent ask in my opinion, for me. It's a personal choice again, how much whoever can function in whatever capacity for how many hours, it's subjective. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vaani Kapoor was dropped from a film as she was not ‘milky white'; Reveals being body-shamed for being ‘too skinny'
Making a name in Bollywood isn't easy; with high beauty standards and constant judgement, newcomers often face tough challenges. For actor Vaani Kapoor , the start of her journey wasn't smooth either. Coming from New Delhi to Mumbai, she dreamt of making it big in films. But instead of being judged purely for her talent, she found herself judged for her looks. Dropped from a film for not being fair enough In a chat with News18 Showsha, Vaani shared a shocking memory from her early career. A director decided not to cast her, just because of her skin tone. 'I haven't been told directly, but information reaches me via other people. A filmmaker had once said that I wasn't fair enough to land a role. He said that I wasn't 'milky white,'' she said. Vaani didn't let it break her spirit. Instead, she stood her ground and made her priorities clear: 'I told myself that it is what it is. If that's a requirement, I don't want to be a part of his projects. The feelings are completely mutual there. He can find his milky white beauty or his fair and lovely woman. I know that I can find a better filmmaker for myself. This happened ages ago. And that filmmaker wasn't from Mumbai,' she added. Still judged for her body today Even now, when Vaani is a known name in the industry, the comments haven't stopped. But this time, they come in a different form: body-shaming. 'What I hear a lot sometimes is that I'm too skinny and that I should put on some weight because people like women with fuller bodies. But I like me! I don't want to change anything about myself. I'm fit and healthy. I usually don't get bothered by these things. Sometimes, you don't know if such comments are coming from a place of concern or like good advice. But I think I'm pretty okay, and I like who I am,' she said. From 'Shuddh Desi Romance', 'Befikre,' 'Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui,' and 'War', Vaani has continued to grow as an actor.
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Kriti Sanon And Ranveer Singh Manifested A Film Together. Now, Don 3 Happened
Previously, Kiara Advani was supposed to play the female lead opposite Ranveer in Don 3. Later, Kriti Sanon came on board. Farhan Akhtar's Don 3, featuring Ranveer Singh and Kriti Sanon, has been generating significant buzz on social media ever since its announcement. The film is expected to go on floors in January 2026. As fans wait to see the new pair in the franchise, an old video of Kriti from an award ceremony has surfaced online due to its link with Ranveer. During her award-winning speech for the film Mimi, the actress turned emotional and said, 'To any boy and any girl who is being told ki 'bohot bada sapna hai, itne bade sapne matt dekho, pure nahi hote hai,' ya 'contacts ke bina yaha pe kuch nahi hota hai' —It does not matter where you are from. It does not matter who your parents are or what your surname is. It may take you a little longer – it took me 8 years — but it is possible. The journey could be a little difficult. Simply believe in yourself and keep striving. Keep improving at what you do. Keep learning, and I guarantee you'll get there. And when you do, it will be worthwhile since this is your path. Never let anyone tell you that your dreams are too great. So here's to big dreams." She concluded the speech with one sentence that has already piqued the interest of the fans. Kriti asked the Befikre actor, 'Ranveer Singh, do you remember what you told me? 'Jab tu Best Actress aur main Best Actor hoga na. Tab saath mein kaam karenge!'." With Don 3 bringing Ranveer and Kriti together for the first time, it appears her statement has come full circle. Previously, Kiara Advani was supposed to play the female lead opposite Ranveer in Don 3. However, after announcing her pregnancy, the actress had to opt out of the film. Since then, reports have circulated that Kriti could be cast as the leading lady in Don 3. This was recently confirmed by the makers. Meanwhile, Kriti will be next seen in Tere Ishk Mein with Dhanush. The film is slated to hit the big screens in November 2025. Ranveer, on the other hand, will be seen in Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar. First Published: July 19, 2025, 15:56 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
