big is beautiful

Smriti Irani

Have you ever felt discriminated against because you are not stick-thin?
Never, not in the industry at least. I've done Kyunki and hosted Kuch Dil Se in the advanced stage of my pregnancy, when my stomach was bulging and I was plumper.

Do you feel that every actress must look like a model?
I think media and entertainment is replete with a variety of both, otherwise we'll look like prototypes. It's about how you view yourself, your comfort level and whether you lead a healthy life.

Ekta Kapoor threw an actress out of her serial for putting on weight. Comment.
In that case I should have been out of my job three years ago. I don't judge people on the basis of their look and physique. It's their talent that matters.

Do you feel that you lose out on roles because of your body type?
No, I've not been told anything like that. I've sported an 18-inch waist and now, after two kids, I've put on a lot of weight. I resumed shooting three days after delivery. I'm extremely satisfied with my life.

Are you thinking of losing weight for personal or professional reasons?
I'll never lose weight for professional reasons or to get media reports. I had been an athlete at one point, so I'll probably think of getting into shape for my own health. In fact, the extra weight has always worked to my advantage, as I play mother of grown-up people on the show.

Do your friends have a special nickname for you?
They dare not.

What do you think of actors gaining or losing weight for roles?
It's their choice.

One person you think carries her weight really well.
I can't think of anybody but myself.

One person you think desperately needs to put on weight.
I know she's going to kill me for this, but it has to be Shilpa Saklani.

Tanvi Azmi

Have you ever felt discriminated against because you are not stick-thin?
I was never stick-thin and have not faced any discrimination so far.

Do you feel that every actress must look like a model?
It's very unfortunate that a lot of individuality is getting covered and forgotten in this race of following the trend of slimming down.

Ekta Kapoor threw an actress out of her serial for putting on weight. Comment.
I think every producer and director has the right to choose the people they want to cast. I don't know what exactly transpired between them, so I can't pass judgement.

Do you feel you lose out on roles because of your body type?
I'm not sure about that; nobody has ever told me such a thing.

Are you thinking of losing weight presently for personal or professional reasons?
Certainly, I've always been extremely sporty. It feels great to be fit and healthy.

Do your friends have any special nickname for you?
No.

What do you think of actors gaining or losing weight for roles?
That's tremendous. I really admire artistes who advocate a change that affects their entire existence. It's quite commendable.

One person you think carries her weight really well.
I don't give it so much thought.

One person you think desperately needs to put on weight.
Several people from the modelling fraternity need to put on weight. I can't name any one.

Delnaaz Paul

Have you ever felt discriminated against?
No, not at all.

Should actress be stick-thin?
As an actress, you must have the right emotions and expressions. These are the only tools that will help you.

Ekta Kapoor threw an actress out of her serial for putting on weight. Comment.
I'm sure it wasn't for putting on weight. There must be some other issue. Or maybe the character demanded a thinner
look.

Do you feel you lose out on roles ?
Not really. I started off with comedy, and in this genre, people love to see the characters plump and healthy. And my body structure fits in perfectly.

So it's more of an image that I've built up over the years. In fact, I grabbed the role of Sweetu (in Kal Ho Naa Ho) because of my weight.

Are you thinking of losing weight for personal or professional reasons?
I'm getting into films and it requires a certain kind of change in me. And I'm ready to do anything and everything to shed my kilos, as I don't want to be confined to supporting roles.

What do you think of actors gaining or losing weight for roles?
It's very challenging. If a director approaches me with a fantastic central character that requires me to lose 25 kilos, I'm game for it.

Who carries her weight really well?
Definitely Smriti Irani.

One person who you think desperately needs to put on weight.
It has to be Pooja Ghai. When she had put on weight during her pregnancy, she looked so cute.

Vandana Pathak

Have you ever felt discriminated against because you are not stick-thin?
No, never.

Do you feel that every actress must look like a model?
Please give me a break. A Barbie-doll figure suits only the ramp. But you need to be fit as an actress.

Ekta Kapoor threw an actress out of her serial for putting on weight. Comment.
I don't know.

Do you feel you lose out on roles because of your body type?
No, not at all. I've been getting loads of offers; it's just that I've been choosy.

Are you thinking of losing weight for personal or professional reasons?
I had put on weight after my delivery, and I've been working out to get back to my original self. In no way am I going to get involved in the rat race of becoming slim.

Do your friends have a special nickname for you?
Vandy.

What do you think of actors gaining or losing weight for roles?
You have to suit the character, so what's the big deal? It's a good thing if you care for the needs of your character.

One person you think carries her weight really well.
Vandana Pathak.

One person you think desperately needs to put on weight.
I really don't know.

Apara Mehta

Have you ever felt discriminated against ?
Not at all – my face works for me. Also, I'm too confident and get away with a lot of things.

Should actress be stick-thin?
I don't think so; you have to look real and right. Many of us spend time on our look and make-up, but at the end of the day, it is the expression in your eyes that matters the most.

Do you lose out on roles ?
No way. Your age and weight are the last things that are taken into consideration if you have the talent.

Are you thinking of losing weight for personal or professional reasons?
Not really, losing weight should be more for your health. As a 42-year-old, I think I have a normal body type.

What do you think of actors gaining or losing weight for roles?
It depends on how important the project is and what it demands out of you. I had to lose four kilos for my small role in Devdas, as director Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted it.

Who carries her weight well?
Apart from me, it has to be Reema Lagoo and Kirron Kher.

One person who you think desperately needs to put on some weight.
I think Achint Kaur can put on a little weight; considering her height, she'll look even more attractive.