Nawazuddin Siddiqui has once again sparked conversation around bias in Bollywood.
In a recent interview, the actor openly criticised the industry’s obsession with fair skin and rigid beauty standards, while paying tribute to legendary actress Smita Patil.
Speaking candidly, Nawazuddin Siddiqui said that appearance and skin tone often influence casting decisions more than acting ability.
He noted that Bollywood has long favoured fair-skinned characters, especially in storytelling, adding that many scripts still follow outdated beauty standards.
‘Beauty standards are imposed’
The Badlapur actor argued that beauty in cinema is often dictated rather than naturally defined.
“As the saying goes, when you eliminate a cockroach, people commend you. But when you eliminate a butterfly, they question your actions,” he said, pointing to selective perceptions in society and cinema.
He stressed that individuals should have the freedom to define beauty on their own, rather than conforming to fixed expectations set by the industry.
Darker skin still stereotyped
The actor also highlighted how darker-skinned actresses are often labelled in limiting ways within India.
He added that the same features might be perceived differently in other countries, underscoring how cultural biases shape the film industry.
According to him, such patterns are deeply tied to how characters are written, with appearance often being prioritised before talent.
Praising Smita Patil, Nawazuddin said he had never seen anyone more beautiful.
He noted that the camera captures a deeper, more authentic form of beauty that goes beyond surface-level judgement.
“The camera does not pass judgement,” he said.
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