Daisy Shah is a well-known face in both the North and South entertainment industries. Although she has not found major success, she is often remembered as Salman Khan’s heroine and is closely associated with that launch in Bollywood.
She has mainly worked in Kannada films, and in a recent interview with Male Feminist, she spoke about sexism in the industry. Daisy revealed that Kannada cinema has a long-standing obsession with the heroine’s navel, something she found unusual and uncomfortable.
She explained that several aspects of women are sexualised in films to satisfy the male gaze, and the focus on the navel is one of the quirkiest examples. While she did not face extreme situations herself, she noticed odd portrayals while watching Kannada films during her career there.
According to her, many songs showed the heroine’s navel being used in strange ways, like cutting fruits or salad on it, highlighting male fantasies. Interestingly, audiences on social media admitted there was truth in her claims, even though many opposed such depictions.
These reactions raise questions about why such scenes continue to appear in films despite criticism. It points towards the need for unlearning old practices and moving the industry towards more respectful and progressive portrayals of women on screen.
Actress Daisy Shah talks about the ‘Navel Obsession’ in the South Indian Movie Industry
It’s hilarious tbh
The incident she talks about I mean https://t.co/pnrUyRV2vc pic.twitter.com/K8SHzslwia— Sensei Kraken Zero (@YearOfTheKraken) August 23, 2025
