Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha has been a prominent figure in the industry for years, known for her talent and striking on-screen presence. However, the actress recently shared a deeply personal and emotional story from the early days of her career that left a lasting impact on her. In an interview with Hauterrfly, Sonakshi opened up about a painful experience when she was not considered for a lead role due to her body weight. The rejection was rooted in body-shaming comments, a situation that profoundly affected her at the time.
The Incident That Shook Sonakshi Sinha
Sonakshi Sinha’s career began with a big splash when she made her Bollywood debut with Dabangg in 2010, starring opposite Salman Khan. However, before reaching that milestone, the actress faced an episode early in her career that made her question herself and the very nature of the industry she had entered.
Reflecting on this, Sonakshi Sinha recalled a particular moment when she was up for a lead role but was rejected because she was considered “overweight” by industry standards. In her conversation with the host, she revealed how the comments about her body image hit her hard. “I remember there was this one time where I really broke down, I came home crying because they did not give me a lead role because I was overweight. They said, ‘No, you won’t look good in this role, and you just play a stupid, small role,’” Sonakshi shared, recalling the hurtful words that were thrown her way.
The harsh rejection left her questioning her worth, both as an actress and as a person. The weight of these body-shaming remarks was enough to break her down emotionally, and the young actress was devastated by the incident.
After receiving the blow to her self-esteem, Sonakshi Sinha sought solace in her family, particularly her maasi (aunt). In her emotional recounting of the incident, she shared how she sought comfort from her maasi, sitting on her lap and letting out all the emotions she had bottled up. “I was like, ‘Why has God done this to me? Why has he made me like this?’ I was just questioning myself,” Sonakshi recalled. It was a raw moment of vulnerability, where she allowed herself to feel the weight of the situation before slowly starting to recover.
The incident of body-shaming and career setback wasn’t the only challenge Sonakshi Sinha faced in the industry. Over the years, she has become vocal about the pressures of conforming to certain beauty standards that are often imposed on women in the film industry. Despite these challenges, Sonakshi has built an impressive career and gained a loyal fanbase that admires her for her versatility and grace.
Not only did she go on to become a star with films like Dabangg, Rowdy Rathore, and Son of Sardaar, but she also proved that talent trumps conventional beauty standards. Sonakshi’s journey wasn’t always smooth sailing, but she learned to stand tall despite the negativity and the external judgment.
In recent years, Sonakshi Sinha has also expanded her horizons in the entertainment industry, experimenting with different genres and taking on challenging roles. She was last seen in the horror-comedy Kakuda and also appeared in the OTT series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, directed by the legendary Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The success of her varied roles shows that Sonakshi is more than just a pretty face in the industry—she is a skilled and adaptable performer who is constantly evolving.
The actress’s journey is a testament to perseverance, self-love, and overcoming the toxic expectations often placed on women. She continues to inspire many, particularly those who have faced similar struggles related to body image and self-acceptance.