The conversation around appearance and beauty standards in the film industry has once again come under scrutiny after Salman Khan defended Katrina Kaif against trolls commenting on her postpartum body on Bigg Boss 20. Actors Arshad Warsi and Pratik Gandhi have now opened up about how similar expectations can affect men, particularly when it comes to casting.
Pratik Gandhi recalls casting experience
The actors, who were seen together in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s crime drama Ghamasaan, spoke about the pressures surrounding the way actors are expected to look and the assumptions made about certain appearances.
Speaking to News18, Pratik recalled auditioning for television projects where aspiring actors were specifically told that they needed to have a “rich look” to be considered. “This happened in my initial years when I would audition for television shows. Even today, when I speak to my friends, I realise that the messages that get forwarded to aspiring actors is still the same,” Pratik said.
The actor questioned what exactly constitutes looking wealthy, calling the expectation “very weird”. According to him, such casting requirements continue to be circulated among actors looking for opportunities.
Arshad Warsi on being realistic about looks
Arshad Warsi reacted strongly to the idea, calling the requirement “the stupidest thing ever”. Warsi also spoke candidly about the physical image associated with conventional Bollywood heroes. While discussing the expectations placed on actors, he acknowledged that he does not fit the traditionally defined mould of a leading man.
“Tomorrow if I say that I look like Hrithik Roshan, then I’m a fool. One has got to be realistic,” Warsi said, adding that he is not 6’2” and has to be practical about the roles suited to his appearance.
The actor further used the example of playing a superhero such as Thor, saying that his physicality would make him an unlikely fit for such a role. For Warsi, acknowledging how one looks is different from allowing industry expectations to define an actor’s worth.
The discussion comes as Warsi will also feature in Shah Rukh Khan’s King, while Gandhi has Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan? and Hum Hindustani in his upcoming slate. Warsi and Gandhi share screen space in Ghamasaan, directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, available to watch on Zee5.