Dhamaal 4, starring Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi and Javed Jaffrey, arrived in cinemas this Friday and opened to mixed reactions from audiences and critics.
Besides its VFX quality, the Bella Ciao remake and other aspects, one element that drew criticism was the fat-shaming jokes aimed at Anjali Anand’s character. While the actress herself has admitted that she initially found it difficult to accept the role, director Indra Kumar has now addressed the backlash. Breaking his silence, he said Anjali’s character was not defined by those jokes alone but had a proper arc in the film. He also added that the actress genuinely enjoyed playing the role.
Dhamaal 4 Director Reacts To Backlash Over Anjali Anand Fat-Shaming Jokes
In an interview with Mid-Day, Indra addressed the backlash over .He said, “I really loved Anjali, and she was very happy with the role. She has done an excellent job. The humour has context within the story and the character arc gives those jokes meaning rather than reducing her to them.”
Anjali Anand On Body-Shaming Jokes
Recently, Anjali said that most of the opportunities she has received in her career initially came because of her body type, with filmmakers casting her based on her appearance before recognising her acting abilities. She shared that her debut web series Untag was offered to her because of her physique, while later projects such as Raat Jawan Hai and Dabba Cartel gave her more substantial roles.
The actress also noted that she is still waiting for a film role that has nothing to do with her body, though she remains optimistic that such opportunities will come.
Speaking about , Anjali revealed that her first reaction was to turn down the film because it included jokes about her weight. However, after giving it some thought, she decided to take up the role. She explained that while some people questioned her decision, considering her stand against body-shaming, she felt that if someone had to play the part, she wanted to do it herself rather than pass the responsibility to someone else.
Even after Anand’s explanation, many netizens have continued to question the fat-shaming jokes in the film. Similar criticism had also surfaced online after the trailer was released. However, despite the backlash and mixed reviews, Dhamaal 4 is performing well at the box office. It has earned Rs 36 crore in its first two days.