Shweta Basu Prasad says she faced bullying in Telugu cinema

Actress Shweta Basu Prasad, in a candid interview, detailed the experiences of bullying she encountered on the sets of her Telugu films, which have profoundly affected her career. Shweta, recognized for her debut in Telugu cinema with “Kotha Bangaru Lokam” and subsequent performances in “Ride,” “Kasko,” and “Vijetha,” disclosed that she faced persistent remarks regarding her height.

She emphasized that during one film (she indirectly hinted about “Kotha Bangaru Lokam”), the crew would consistently remind her of her height in comparison to her co-star Varun Sandesh.

Did Varun Sandesh bully her?

She stated, “There was a particular Telugu film in which the entire crew would remind me of my height daily. The significant height difference between my hero and my 5’2” stature became a frequent source of ridicule. Concurrently, the hero would disrupt every scene, yet the emphasis consistently remained on my height, an aspect beyond my control.”

She saw that the feedback was not constructive but rather disparaging, undermining her confidence on set.

The actress, recognized for her contributions to the OTT domain through performances in series and films such as “India Lockdown” and “The Tashkent Files,” underscored the necessity for a more nurturing atmosphere within the film industry, particularly for emerging artists.

Shweta’s forthright disclosures have ignited discourse on social media and within industry circles over the treatment of actresses and the widespread problem of body shaming in the entertainment business.

Her candor regarding her history, particularly the notorious prostitution scandal in 2014 from which she was subsequently exonerated, has positioned her as a proponent for reform, championing a more compassionate perspective on the film industry’s frequently brutal realities.