Mumbai- Actress Gargi Kundu, who gained recognition through the Jio Hotstar reality show Society, has spoken about the tough realities of the entertainment industry.
She revealed that she faced repeated rejections from filmmakers who judged her appearance rather than her talent. Gargi said she was even advised to undergo cosmetic surgery to be considered for roles.
“I was directly told that if I got ‘proper surgery’ done, they would think about casting me. It was heartbreaking, because instead of focusing on my performance, they made me feel I wasn’t ‘good enough’ for their idea of beauty,” she shared.
The actress admitted that such remarks initially shook her confidence, but over time she realized that talent and perseverance matter more than superficial changes.
“I questioned whether my dreams were valid, since every meeting ended with a comment about changing my looks. But eventually, I understood that hard work and talent are the real game changers,” she said.
Gargi stressed the need for the film industry to move beyond narrow beauty standards. “Cinema should celebrate individuality. If everyone looks the same because of surgeries, where will originality and relatability go?” she asked.
Determined to make her mark on her own terms, Gargi said she wants to inspire others facing similar struggles. “I won’t give up. I want people to believe in themselves and not let anyone dictate how they should look,” she affirmed.
Gargi made her television debut with Society, a reality show featuring 25 contestants competing in tier-based groups—Royals, Regulars, and Rags—through daily challenges for the title of Asli Baazigar.
With inputs from IANS