Sameera Reddy has spoken openly about the beauty standards she faced during her years in the film industry. The actress revealed that she was constantly pressured to change her appearance to fit the industry’s expectations.
Recalling her debut in Maine Dil Tujhko Diya, Sameera said she was made two to three shades lighter using makeup. She also revealed that full-body makeup was applied so her face and body matched on screen.
The pressure did not end with makeup. Sameera shared that she spent years wearing padded bras, bum pads and coloured contact lenses because she was repeatedly made to believe that her natural appearance was not enough.
She further revealed that even after losing weight, people commented that her body did not look right. According to Sameera, costume designers and female assistant directors often suggested changes to her appearance.
The actress also admitted that she felt insecure about not being fair, having light-coloured eyes or being tall enough. She even said she would hunch while walking because she worried about appearing taller than her male co-stars.
The 47-year-old actress recently returned to Hindi cinema after a 14-year break with Aakhri Sawal. She said it took her until her 40s to overcome these insecurities and accept herself without trying to match unrealistic beauty standards.
Sameera’s honest revelations have once again sparked conversations about the pressure actresses face in the entertainment industry. Many believe her experience reflects the unrealistic expectations placed on women in cinema for many years.
