Ananya Panday slams Bollywood’s beauty standards: Called 'too skinny' and ‘matchstick’ at 19, accused of surgery at 25

Ananya Panday has often found herself in the spotlight—sometimes for her roles in films, and sometimes for being the poster child of Gen Z glamour in Bollywood. But behind the flawless photos and red-carpet appearances lies a reality she’s now choosing to speak up about: the constant, exhausting scrutiny women face over their bodies.

In a candid conversation with Lilly Singh, Ananya peeled back the glossy layers of showbiz to talk about something many celebrities avoid—unrealistic beauty standards and the double-edged sword of public perception. Reflecting on her journey since stepping into the industry at just 18, Ananya said the criticism started almost immediately, and ironically, it came from both ends of the spectrum.

When she began her career, she was labelled “too skinny” by many. Trolls casually dismissed her figure, likening her to a "matchstick" or a "flat screen TV"—mocking her for not fitting the curvy ideal. Terms like “chicken legs” were thrown around with little regard for how deeply words can cut.

Now, as her body has naturally evolved, Ananya finds herself facing a whole new wave of judgment—this time from people claiming she must’ve undergone cosmetic surgery. She pointed out the hypocrisy: as a woman in the public eye, you’re either “too little” or “too much,” and rarely ever “just right” in the eyes of others.

What hits hardest is the double standard. According to Ananya, men rarely face this kind of body scrutiny. Women, especially in Bollywood, are often held to impossible standards that don’t just exist on-screen but follow them into real life. She admitted that the industry, including herself, has played a part in projecting these unattainable images. “You wake up in the morning and your hair is done”—that’s the illusion films often sell, and it's far from reality.

To strike a balance, Ananya said she tries to stay as real as possible off camera. Her effort to keep things authentic is her way of pushing back against the same ideals she once unknowingly helped promote.

Ananya Panday's work

Ananya Pandey stepped into Bollywood with her debut film Student of the Year 2. She has starred in popular films like Dream Girl 2, Gehraiyaan, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan and CTRL. She was recently seen opposite Akshay Kumar in Kesari Chapter 2. She is currently gearing up for Chand Mera Dil with Lakshya. Karan Johar's Dharma Productions movie will be directed by Vivek Soni.