In a tense episode of Bigg Boss 19, host Salman Khan confronted contestants Tanya Mittal, Neelam Giri, and Kunickaa Sadanand for repeatedly body-shaming Ashnoor Kaur.
The young actress became emotional as she shared her long-standing struggles with body image issues, highlighting the impact of judgmental remarks on mental health.
Ashnoor Kaur Speaks Out
During Weekend Ka Vaar, Salman revealed that Tanya and Neelam had made insensitive comments about Ashnoor’s weight, calling her “haathi” and “moti” and questioning her efforts to maintain fitness.
Ashnoor responded emotionally, saying:
“This has been a very big part of my life. As a teenager, I struggled with body image issues but never shared them. Due to hormonal imbalances, my body can bloat under stress. There was a time when I had eating disorders and would starve myself. Before entering the Bigg Boss house, I had lost 9 kgs, but my body bloated again in this stressful environment.”
She emphasized that everyone’s body is different and criticized Tanya’s remarks:
“If you present yourself as a spiritual influencer and promote self-care, body-shaming others behind their back sends the wrong message to audiences who struggle with body confidence. So, shame on you, Tanya.”
Impact of Teenage Body Image Issues
Ashnoor shared candidly with co-contestant Pranit:
“During my teenage years, I avoided sleeveless clothes and meeting friends because of how conscious I felt about my body. I never shared this with anyone—not even my parents.”
Tanya and Neelam’s Remarks
The remarks by Tanya and Neelam included comparing Ashnoor’s appearance to her mother in a video, questioning her weight despite regular workouts, and claiming they would look better in the same outfits. Tanya was also seen making derogatory comments during a task, calling Ashnoor a “big elephant.”
Salman Khan reprimanded Tanya for her repeated behavior and called out Kunickaa for encouraging the conversation instead of intervening. After Salman threatened to show the footage, Tanya acknowledged her mistake and apologized to Ashnoor.
Promoting Awareness and Positive Body Image
Ashnoor’s emotional sharing underscores the need for sensitivity, inclusivity, and awareness about body image struggles, especially in public forums. It is a reminder that mental health and self-esteem should be respected and supported both on and off screen.
