Actress Malavika Mohanan has recently opened up about her experiences with body image pressures in the Indian film industry, shedding light on the contrasting expectations between Bollywood and South Indian cinema. In a candid interview, the actress, known for her work in Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi films, addressed the prevalent “navel obsession” in South films and recalled the time she faced severe trolling for being “too skinny” early in her career.
Mohanan, who made her debut in the Malayalam film “Pattam Pole,” revealed her initial surprise at the emphasis placed on the female navel in South Indian cinema. Growing up in Mumbai, this cultural nuance was entirely new to her. She expressed her perplexity, stating that it was a “completely new phenomenon” to witness such focus, even observing instances where social media users would zoom in on actresses’ bodies. “Navel obsession is a very real thing” in the South film industry, she admitted.
Adding to the complexities of navigating different regional film industries, Malavika also spoke about the contrasting body image standards. She noted that while Mumbai often favors a lean and toned physique, the South Indian audience tends to prefer a “chubbier” or curvier appearance. This difference, she explained, creates a challenging environment for actresses trying to work across industries and maintain a physique that appeals to both markets. She voiced her concern over the shifting focus from an actress’s performance to their physical appearance on screen, calling it a “sad part.”
Furthermore, Malavika Mohanan shared her personal experience with body shaming. Early in her career, around the age of 21, she faced significant trolling for being too skinny. She recounted being called names like “skin on bones,” and the harsh criticism deeply affected her at a young and impressionable age. While her body naturally changed in her mid-20s, she highlighted the damaging impact of such comments and emphasized that it amounts to bullying when individuals are made to feel ashamed of their bodies.
Currently, Malavika Mohanan is filming “Hridayapoorvam” alongside Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and is also slated to appear in the Telugu film “The Raja Saab” opposite Prabhas, as well as the Tamil film “Sardar 2” with Karthi. Her willingness to speak openly about these issues brings to the forefront the persistent challenges actresses face concerning body image and the unique cultural nuances within different segments of the Indian film industry.
