Who Is Anjali Anand? Actor Calls Out Industry’s Double Standards on Plus-Size Label

Anjali Anand, recently seen in Dabba Cartel, opened up about the sexism faced by plus-sized female actors in the industry. She revealed rejecting multiple stereotypical roles and voiced her frustration over how women are labeled based on body type, while men are rarely subjected to the same scrutiny.

‘Nobody Calls a Man Plus-Sized’: Anajli Anand Calls Out Industry’s Double Standards

For those unfamiliar, Anjali Anand began her journey in television but gained widespread recognition and appreciation for her performance in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Speaking to Fever FM, she highlighted how the industry holds different standards for women compared to men, especially regarding body image.

She shared, "I can say from my experience that nobody was ready to see me as a lead or playing the heroine. I’m doing that on the web and in other spaces, but I’m not doing that in the film yet for the larger audiences to come to the theatre."

She compared this to how male actors have never been categorised based on their size. "Nobody ever questioned, like, when Govinda and Hrithik Roshan, who looked very different, but I love both of them. I maybe love Govinda much more. But nobody would ask him or call him a plus-size actor. Nobody would call Rishi Kapoor a plus-size actor; he is an actor. But for a woman, I’m always called Anjali Anand—a plus-sized actor," she said.

Continuing, she pointed out the industry’s gender bias, "I think the acceptance for women in this space… I love a Chandni where Sridevi, Rishi Kapoor, and Vinod Khanna, who all look different, are together. Nobody has questioned them. Why? Because they are men. But when a woman does something, a Silk Smitha character Vidya Balan is playing, then it’s like a hoo-ha, ‘OMG, look at her stomach, why? Why have we never asked men, ‘Is he a plus-sized actor?’ Have you ever seen someone call a man a plus-sized actor? No. So why am I being called one?"

Who Is Anjali Anand?

Anjali Anand, the 33-year-old actor is the daughter of former actor Dinesh Anand. She entered the entertainment industry with her debut in the television show Dhhai Kilo Prem in 2017. Her major breakthrough came with the television show Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala, a show that further cemented her place in the industry. She also participated in the reality show Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi Season 13, where she showcased a different side of her personality.

In 2023, she made her Bollywood debut with Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, where she shared screen space with some of the industry’s biggest stars. She is now set to appear in Bun Tikki, further expanding her film career.  The film also stars Shabana Azmi, and Zeenat Aman.

Anjali has made a strong presence in the digital space as well with shows like Raat Jawaan Hai and Dabba Cartel. Her performances have been widely appreciated, allowing her to break free from television stereotypes and explore more layered characters.