Shalini Pandey Opens Up on Body Shaming and Naivety During 'Arjun Reddy' Days
Shalini Pandey, acclaimed for her stellar portrayal of Preethi in the Vijay Deverakonda-led film 'Arjun Reddy,' has candidly recounted her experiences with body shaming following the film's release. In an interview with India Today, Pandey shared her perspective on why she did not receive the same level of recognition as Kiara Advani, who essayed the role in the Hindi remake, 'Kabir Singh.'
Pandey revealed that she faced significant body shaming during the 'Arjun Reddy' era. Being new to the South Indian film industry and unfamiliar with the language, she felt vulnerable and was allegedly taken advantage of by her then-managers. I was constantly trying to understand what people wanted from me, Pandey explained, adding that she was shamed for her athletic physique. Even now, I get shamed by people, she lamented.
The actress emphasized her naivety during that period, acknowledging that she was still learning the ropes of the industry. I didn't know any better, she confessed. However, she refused to let the experiences deter her, choosing instead to focus on her growth and development as an actress.
Despite the challenges, Pandey's performance in 'Arjun Reddy' left an enduring mark on the cinematic landscape. The film, written and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, explores the tumultuous journey of a brilliant but troubled alcoholic surgeon struggling with anger management issues and substance abuse after losing his beloved Preethi.
The movie garnered polarizing responses, with some lauding its performances, screenplay, and direction, while others criticized its portrayal of toxic masculinity and glorification of substance abuse. Nonetheless, 'Arjun Reddy' proved to be a watershed moment for Vijay Deverakonda, propelling him to stardom. The film was subsequently remade in Hindi as 'Kabir Singh' with Shahid Kapoor in the lead role, followed by two Tamil remakes, 'Varmaa' and 'Adithya Varma,' both starring Dhruv Vikram.
Shalini Pandey's Recent Projects and Upcoming Ventures
Following her breakthrough role in 'Arjun Reddy,' Shalini Pandey has continued to grace the silver screen. In 2024, she starred alongside Aamir Khan's son, Junaid Khan, in the historical drama 'Maharaj,' which premiered on Netflix. The actress has a slew of exciting projects lined up, including the upcoming series 'Dabba Cartel' and 'Bandwaale.'
