New Delhi:
Maanvi Gagroo, who is enjoying the success of her latest offering half love half arranged season 2Known for her strong voice on embracing individuality and advocating for mental health and body positivity. In an exclusive interview with NDTV’s Hardika Gupta, the actress shares her perspective on the evolving conversation around body image in the entertainment industry and her personal connection with the changes taking place. He also discussed the ongoing changes and challenges in the way people are represented on screen.
“The conversation around body image is evolving in the industry and it’s great to see these issues being discussed more openly,” said Maanvi. She added, “It’s becoming more and more common to see people of all shapes, sizes, and appearances represented on screen, both men and women. This change is positive, and the fact that these conversations are happening is a step forward. “
However, Maanvi is quick to note that the entertainment industry, despite progress, is still a “business”. “It’s important to accept the reality that the entertainment industry is a business. If diversity and representation sells, they’ll embrace it; if it doesn’t, they probably won’t. About what diversity really means There’s also a misconception. Too often, people assume that being diverse on screen means including a fat girl, a dark girl, a skinny girl or a short girl – essentially ticking off the boxes based on physical characteristics. It is not.”
Maanvi further highlighted that true diversity should go beyond these physical labels. “If I’m cast as a fat girl, while I appreciate the opportunity, it still means I’m being viewed primarily through that lens. The goal should be to go beyond such labels and Characters should be allowed to exist without being defined by their physical appearance, unless it’s important to the story,” she said.
The actress gave examples of roles where her physical features were integral to the plot, such as Ujda ChamanWhere he played an overweight character, a detail that was central to the story. Similarly, in projects like Half love half arranged, tripling And Good luck, be more carefulHer weight was not a defining feature of the role. Maanvi shared, “These roles are especially meaningful to me because they highlight the importance of seeing actors beyond their physical appearance.”
He said, “It can be frustrating that actors are still judged or categorized based on their looks rather than their talent or ability.”
However, she remains optimistic, acknowledging that the industry is slowly moving in the right direction. “That said, the industry is slowly moving in the right direction, and although there is still progress to be made, it is a time for hope,” Manvi concluded.
