Sameera Reddy: Bollywood Bias Over Skin Color

Sameera Reddy recently spoke about the significant bias she faced regarding her skin color early in her Bollywood career. In her debut film, "Maine Dil Tujhko Diya," she was made to appear two to three shades lighter, resulting in a complexion she described as "gray."

Reddy recounted how she had to use extensive makeup to match her face with her body. Beyond skin tone, she also experienced body-shaming from female assistant directors and dress designers, who pressured her to change her physique. Outfits were often designed with built-in padding to alter her appearance.

The actress admitted it took her more than two decades to overcome deep-seated insecurities. These issues extended beyond her skin color to her weight and height. She expressed that only in her 40s did she achieve self-acceptance, having previously relied on padded bras, bum pads, and colored lenses.

Reddy's journey highlights the intense pressure faced by women in the industry to conform to narrow beauty standards. She recalled hunching to appear shorter than her co-stars and facing comments about her weight and body shape throughout her thirties.