Anjali Anand Reacts to Dhamaal 4 Fat-Shaming Criticism: ‘I Don’t Have the Luxury to Say No
Mumbai: Actor Anjali Dinesh Anand has responded after content creator Soumya Dubey criticised her for advocating body positivity while appearing in Dhamaal 4, a film that features jokes about her weight. Anand defended her decision to take up the role, saying she does not have the privilege of turning down work and is doing the projects available to her.
Content Creator Questions Anjali Anand’s Stance
The debate began after Soumya Dubey shared a video questioning Anand’s recent comments in an interview, where the actor spoke about dealing with body-shaming.
Referring to Anand’s remarks, the creator wrote, “The problem isn’t that she played a flawed character. The problem is that you cannot build your brand around body positivity, profit from that message, and then participate in the exact kind of humour you claimed to stand against.”
Dubey’s post also referenced a clip in which Anand had said:
“Someone calls me fat, I’ll call them ugly, because they are, they’re ugly inside and out, and they’re showing me that.”
‘Every Scene Had Fat Jokes,’ Says Creator
The creator said she watched Dhamaal 4 expecting nostalgic entertainment but came away disappointed, alleging that many of Anand’s scenes relied on jokes about her weight.
“I went for nostalgia, but came out so disappointed. Every scene you were in had fat jokes. There were elephant sounds when you entered, and the dialogues around your character were all fat-shaming jokes.”
She further questioned why Anand would choose such a role while promoting body positivity.
“I understand it’s fiction. I understand it’s humour, but not at the cost of how you look. You have a plus-size brand, you promote body positivity, and then you do films where every scene revolves around jokes about your weight. I really thought of you as an inspiration.”
Anjali Anand Responds: ‘I Don’t Have the Luxury to Choose’
Responding in the comments section, Anand said the criticism overlooked the realities faced by many actors.
“Yes, my love. Because society still is ugly. Go see the comments on my page and you’ll get it.”
Explaining why she accepted the role, the actor added:
“Nobody is going to write me a part until I put myself out there and show what I can do with my talent. So yes, I’m biting a bitter pill to run my house and put food on my table. I’m taking up the projects that I’m getting.”
She also said she does not have the option to pick and choose roles.
“I do not have an option to choose what I want to do and what not. There aren’t directors lining up for me to give me parts.”
Anand cited her previous projects, including Untag, Dhhai Kilo Prem, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Dhamaal 4, while expressing hope that opportunities for plus-size actors would improve in the future.
‘Don’t Reduce Me to My Size’
Speaking about the industry’s perception of plus-size performers, Anand said she intends to continue working until attitudes evolve.
“If they want to cast a fat girl, honey, I’ll be the best damn fat girl they’ve ever seen because I’m here for the long run. I have to wait it out until the whole climate changes. It’s a revolution and it will take time, and I have the balls to wait it out until then.”
Drawing a comparison with actors portraying fictional characters, she concluded:
“A serial killer playing a part in a film does not mean he supports killing people. Don’t reduce me to my size. See what I can do with my talent and where I have reached with it.”
Anjali Anand was recently seen in Indra Kumar’s Dhamaal 4, which also stars Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Jaaved Jaaferi, Ravi Kishan, and Esha Gupta. Her response has since sparked widespread discussion online about representation, body positivity, and the realities of securing roles in the film industry.
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