EXCLUSIVE: Shriyam Bhagnani Recalls Being Body-Shamed; Says, “People Making Comments About My Appearance…”

Actress Shriyam Bhagnani is gearing up to impress audiences with her upcoming film Sumo Didi, in which she takes on the physically demanding role of a sumo wrestler. The character required her to undergo extensive training and make several lifestyle changes to get into the skin of her role.

Shriyam Bhagnani On Being Body-Shamed

In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Shriyam opened up about her preparation, her experiences with body-shaming and why she hopes the film encourages filmmakers to write female characters without limitations.

Speaking about whether she has faced trolling or body-shaming, particularly after undergoing a physical transformation, Shriyam revealed that she has experienced such comments in person. She said, “I’ve experienced body shaming in person, including people making comments about my appearance directly to my face. Interestingly, I haven’t experienced it to the same extent on social media.”

She further added, “I also haven’t reached a level of public visibility where I’ve experienced significant trolling online, so I wouldn’t want to pretend to have dealt with something I haven’t. But I do think comments about someone’s body can have an impact, particularly when they’re made casually, without considering how the other person might feel.”

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Shriyam Bhagnani On Physical Transformation For Sumo Didi

The actress also spoke about the physical discipline required to portray a sumo wrestler in Sumo Didi. Her preparation involved several forms of training, along with a carefully monitored diet and medical guidance. Sharing details of her routine, she said, “It demanded a lot, both physically and in terms of discipline. My preparation involved gym training, yoga, physiotherapy, sumo and judo training, along with a carefully planned diet and regular visits to the doctor. It was a combination of different things that helped me prepare for the physical demands of the character.”

Shriyam also hopes the film contributes to changing how female protagonists are portrayed on screen. However, she acknowledged that films have already started challenging conventional expectations. “I don’t think Sumo Didi is the first film to challenge these expectations. Films like Dum Laga Ke Haisha have helped make space for stories like ours. If a film like that could pave the way for Sumo Didi, I hope our film can do the same for the stories that follow. I’d love to see more female characters being written without limitations around what they should look like.”

With Sumo Didi, Shriyam hopes to be part of a larger shift towards more diverse and unconventional female characters in cinema.

For more news and updates from the entertainment world, stay tuned to Bollywood Bubble.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Shriyam Bhagnani REACTS To Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika Mandanna’s Online Trolling; Says, “Every Personal Choice Doesn’t Need To Become A Public Debate”

Manisha Karki

Manisha has established a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling with over six years of expertise in the industry. With a deep passion for cinema, she brings a unique perspective to her coverage, making it a trusted voice in the entertainment world.