BODY SHAMING NEVER BOTHERED ME: ZAREEN KHAN

Despite being criticised and body shamed in Bollywood, Zareen is happy that at least now there is an acceptance for different body-types in the industry

She remembers the time when she weighed 100 kg and was subjected to body-shaming. But actor Zareen Khan says negative comments never bothered her and, being a strongwilled person, she never felt hesitant to speak her mind.

“When I was more than 100 kg, I was often body-shamed and bullied. However, none of this ever bothered me. It didn’t bother me then and doesn’t bother me now,” Zareen said.

“I have always been extremely strong-willed and will never shy away from talking about how I feel. I am very grateful to the people who have supported me through my journey – and the ones who haven’t, have only made me stronger,” she added. About the industry being supportive to the fuller frame actors, she said, “It’s a known fact that I have been criticised for my weight in the past. But things are changing, people are now increasingly getting comfortable with talking about body-shaming.”

“We are beginning to speak more and more about body-positivity. While being an actor requires you to look a certain way, your performance and acting abilities are qualities that should matter the most. However, I still feel we have a long way to go in embracing this concept in its most real sense,” she further added.

Zareen made her screen debut in the 2010 Anil Sharma’s period film Veer, co-starring with Salman Khan.

Talking about her bold roles in films like Hate Story 3, Wajah Tum Ho and Aksar 2, Zareen said: “Every role is a learning experience. I choose movies from an audience point of view – keeping in mind what they would like to watch. You pass or fail, but every single choice you make is an experience.”

“Working out and eating right have now become a part of my lifestyle. It’s not something that I indulge in for a film or project,” she the actor who wants to stay fit for her own self. “The moment you start seeing results in your body, you automatically are motivated to push yourself harder,” she added.