In the age of social media, where celebrity appearances are dissected down to the last detail, Welsh actress Banita Sandhu has added her voice to the growing conversation around body shaming in the entertainment industry. Best known for her roles in October opposite Varun Dhawan and Sardar Udham with Vicky Kaushal, Banita revealed how she was once trolled for being “too skinny” — a moment that marked her first personal brush with body shaming.
Speaking with ANI, Banita shared that the criticism came during her stint in a South Indian film. “I remember people calling me ugly because I looked like a twig. And questioning how the co-star could be attracted to me because I was so skinny. That was the first time I think I experienced body shaming,” she said, reflecting on how the online nature of the trolling made it feel surreal.
Banita, who grew up in Wales, acknowledged the cultural gap and said the beauty standards in that region didn’t align with her own natural body type. “I didn’t take it to heart… I’m naturally very skinny. You can literally ask any producer I’ve worked with — I eat the most on set,” she laughed. On handling such negativity, Banita added, “With anything online, you just can’t take it seriously.”
On Her Acting Journey
Banita began her film career in 2018 with Shoojit Sircar’s critically acclaimed October, which she considers both a blessing and a challenge. “To have your first movie with a director like that is a blessing, but it also sets a high bar,” she explained.
She went on to feature in the American series Pandora and the Tamil film Adithya Varma. Her performance in Sardar Udham further established her versatility as an actor.
Upcoming Film with Diljit Dosanjh
Banita is now preparing for her next big release, Detective Sherdil, where she stars alongside Diljit Dosanjh. She described the experience as “the most fun I’ve ever had on a set,” revealing that the film was shot in Budapest and features an ensemble cast including Diana Penty, Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak Shah, Chunky Panday, Sumeet Vyas, and Kashmira Irani.
Playing a deaf character, Banita underwent intensive preparation just weeks before the shoot began. “There had to be a lot of research and observation, so the technicalities didn’t interfere with my performance,” she said.
Reuniting with Diljit, with whom she appeared in the 2018 music video Jindh Mahi, Banita praised his work ethic and style. “He’s the best-dressed man in India, hands down,” she quipped.