Maanvi Gagroo, the star of Half Love Half Arranged Season 2, has been making significant waves with her unwavering stance on individuality and mental health. In an exclusive interview with NDTV's Hardika Gupta, she opened up about the evolving conversation around body image and the challenges faced in representing people on screen.

Maanvi Gagroo's Insights on Body Image and Entertainment Industry Progress

Section 1: The Evolution of Body Image Conversation in the Entertainment Industry

Maanvi Gagroo's success is not only due to her acting skills but also her active participation in important conversations. The entertainment industry is witnessing a significant shift in how body image is discussed. It is now more common to see a diverse range of people, regardless of their shapes, sizes, and appearances, being represented on screen. This change is positive and shows that society is becoming more inclusive. For example, in recent projects, we have seen actors of different ethnicities and body types taking on prominent roles. This is a step forward in breaking down stereotypes and promoting a more diverse and accepting culture.However, it is important to recognize that the entertainment industry is still a business. While there is a growing awareness of the importance of diversity, it ultimately depends on what sells. If diversity and representation can attract audiences and generate revenue, then the industry will embrace it. But if it doesn't, there may be resistance. Maanvi emphasized that true diversity goes beyond just including different physical traits. It is about giving characters depth and complexity, regardless of their appearance.

Section 2: The Importance of Seeing Actors Beyond Physical Appearance

Maanvi shared examples of roles where her physical traits were integral to the plot. In Ujda Chaman, her overweight character was central to the storyline, highlighting the significance of using physical appearance to enhance a story. On the other hand, in projects like Half Love Half Arranged, Tripling, and Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, her weight was not a defining characteristic. This shows that actors should be judged based on their talent and ability rather than their looks. It is possible to create meaningful characters that transcend physical boundaries.She also mentioned that it can be frustrating when actors are judged solely based on their appearance. There is a need to focus on their skills and performances rather than fixating on their physical attributes. Maanvi remains hopeful that the industry will continue to move in the right direction and give more opportunities to actors based on their talent rather than their looks.

Section 3: The Challenges and Hopes for the Future

Despite the progress made, there are still challenges in achieving true diversity and representation in the entertainment industry. There is a need to go beyond just ticking boxes based on physical traits and focus on creating diverse and complex characters. Maanvi believes that with continued awareness and effort, the industry can make significant improvements.She is optimistic about the future and sees signs of positive change. More and more people are demanding diverse representation, and the industry is starting to listen. There is a growing recognition that diversity is not just a trend but a necessary part of creating inclusive and engaging content. Maanvi hopes that this trend will continue and that more actors will have the opportunity to showcase their talent regardless of their physical appearance.