Kulfi Kumar Bajawela actor Anjali Anand created a social media stir yesterday, by putting out abusive body-shaming Instagram messages she had received.
“Not everybody is confident and happy in their skin like me, and ironically, this self-peace irks others who can’t swallow it that how come a celeb like me who is not your typical body size, be content. So they start hitting out at me.”
“It is very important to deal with this real menace of online bullying. Today we have the dubious distinction of being the #1 online bully nation in the whole world.”
“People are not understanding the consequences of their actions. Many of these teenager trolls are themselves dealing with lots of issues, making them vent out on poor weak souls who can’t fight back.”
“But this is not done, period. I have got messages from young girls contemplating suicide due to overweight jokes/slurs. Sadly, even parents join in the berating.”
“One of the main reasons for putting out the filth mentioned was to make the abusers who take advantage of anonymity feel the heat themselves. Let their parents and families know what crap their kids are dishing out online.”
“Why should I feel ashamed about what was written about them, as it is false. Also, just blocking is not good enough, for they will soon be back with one more id.”
“I am seriously thinking of taking legal action. I want to make an example of the few, so that it sends a message to others to desist. If you can’t tell me something to my face, you have no right to say the same thing online.”
“I agree, a lot of this hatred comes from what my character does on screen. But guys, I am just playing a character. Sadly, many Indians fail to distinguish between reel and real. Most TV actors are known as their on-screen avatars like Tulsi, Parvati or my character Deepika.”
In closing, Anjali, who was first noticed in the Life Ok show, Dhhai Kilo Prem, does accept that lots of this body-shaming stems from the media construct where good looking means hot.”
“I don’t think I find myself attractive even covered. I can’t get why girls post old half-naked pictures of themselves to get likes. Having said that, to each his own. If I feel like it, I will post bikini pics.”
“Sadly though, a lot of casting does take place due to Instagram profile activity. Talent is not picked on performance but on having the ideal figure.”
