Anjali Anand, known for her role in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, recently addressed a topic that many in the film industry often skirt around: body image and representation in mainstream cinema. While reflecting on her journey and aspirations, Anjali candidly acknowledged that someone like Karan Johar casting her as a lead actress isn’t likely—unless the audience begins to embrace women of all body types on screen.
In a heartfelt interview, Anjali made it clear that the responsibility doesn’t lie solely with filmmakers. According to her, the audience plays a crucial role in shaping cinematic trends and expectations. “It is unfortunate. Karan Johar sir isn’t doing this. Audience is making us do this. Audience likes to watch our heroines in that way. The day our audience accepts me as a heroine, Karan Johar will also make a movie for me. But first accept me. Why will anybody put money on me otherwise if you won’t visit a theatre to watch me? You go and watch Alia if she is wearing a bikini or looks hot or glamorous,” she said.
Anjali further emphasized that even the biggest names in the industry resort to doing item songs because that’s where the audience’s attention is. “Even big stars do item songs because that is what the audience is demanding and watching. The day the audience starts to accept other things, that day, people like Karan Johar and everyone else will make other films. But for now, this is the reality. You cannot change the reality,” she added.
Her words come with a personal context, as she herself has worked under Johar’s banner in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, which hit theatres in 2023. In the film, she portrayed the role of Ranveer Singh’s sister, sharing the screen with Bollywood veterans like Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi, Jaya Bachchan, Tota Roy Chowdhury, and Kshitee Jog.
Anjali’s reflection is more than just an observation—it’s a call to action for audiences to widen their lens and celebrate talent beyond superficial standards. Until that shift happens, she suggests, the stories we see on screen will continue to mirror the limited ideals we project onto them.
