Breaking the Mold: How South Asian Media’s Obsession with Fair Skin and Slim Bodies Impacts Women’s Mental Health
Let’s get real for a moment. If you’re a woman in South Asia—or part of the diaspora—you’ve probably felt it. That silent, suffocating pressure to look a certain way: fair-skinned, slim, “perfect.” It’s not just a preference; it’s a mandate hammered into every corner of our media—from TV serials and Bollywood films to Pakistani dramas. This obsession isn’t harmless. It’s damaging. It’s breaking so many women from the inside out.
And we need to talk about it.
The Ugly Truth Behind the Pretty Faces on Screen
Every day, millions of women watch stories unfold on their screens. They see heroines with flawless, fair skin and thin bodies. Rarely do they see themselves reflected — especially if their skin is darker or their body doesn’t fit the “ideal.” Shows like Dhai Kilo Prem tried to push the boundaries by featuring a plus-size protagonist, but even then, the message was subtle: love and acceptance come after change.
Then there’s Meri Bhavya Life on Colors TV, where Bhavya, a plus-size architect, stands tall and confident. Her story feels different—it fights back against the notion that women must “fix” themselves to be worthy. Actress Prisha Dhatwalia, who’s lived through body shaming herself, brings truth and fire to the role. But why are such stories still rare? Why do we have to fight so hard just to be seen as enough?
Bollywood’s Mirror: Shining, But Cracked
Movies like Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani talk about breaking stereotypes, but still feel trapped in their obsession with light skin and toned bodies. Actress Anjali Anand openly says what we all see—there’s this unspoken rule in Bollywood: heroines must be slim and fair. It’s the industry’s secret weapon, pushed relentlessly on audiences.
Shaandaar dared to put a plus-size woman front and center, but sadly, humor often overshadowed respect. When the joke is on her size, it’s not empowerment—it’s humiliation wrapped in glitter. What message does that send to millions watching, already struggling with their bodies every day?
Across the Border: Pakistani Dramas Raising Voices
Pakistani dramas like Pyari Mona and Oye Moti don’t shy away from these brutal truths. Sanam Jung’s portrayal of Mona—facing relentless body shaming—shows how cruel society can be when women don’t fit the mold. The tears, the rejection, the silent battles—these aren’t just TV moments. They are real lives lived in pain and resilience.
But still, why is the plus-size woman treated as “other”? Why does society equate worth with how many pounds you carry or the shade of your skin?
The Mental Health Crisis No One Talks About
Here’s the heartbreak: this obsession with beauty standards doesn’t just hurt feelings—it wrecks lives. The constant message that you are not enough fuels anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and crippling self-doubt.
Young girls grow up measuring themselves against impossible ideals. Women who don’t fit are sidelined, silenced, or shamed. And it’s not just external—it becomes internalized hatred, the cruelest kind, whispered in their own minds.
This Isn’t Just a Story. It’s a Demand.
We demand better stories. We demand media that sees all women—every shade, every size, every story. Because when media excludes, it teaches hate. When media embraces diversity, it heals.
Shows like Meri Bhavya Life and dramas like Pyari Mona are more than entertainment—they are lifelines. They tell women, You are worthy. You are beautiful. You matter.
But we need more. We need a revolution in South Asian media. One that dismantles the fair-skin, slim-body obsession once and for all.
To Everyone Reading This…
If you’ve ever felt “less than” because of your skin or body—this is for you. You are not alone. Your worth is not skin-deep. Your beauty cannot be defined by numbers on a scale or the tone of your complexion.
And to the creators, writers, and producers—hear this: Your stories have power. Use them to uplift, to challenge, to break chains. The world is watching. The time for change is now.