Women across the world are often body shamed. Whether they are thin, fat, curvy or slim, their weight and beauty are always scrutinized and up for questioning. Sonakshi Sinha, who has often been called out for her weight is not new to this unnecessary scrutiny. However, her co-star of many films Akshay Kumar who has often defended her is now courting backlash for a seven-year-old interview that has resurfaced online and being trolled mercilessly and needlessly for it as his comments are misconstrued as misogynistic and taken to be objectifying women.
In 2012, Akshay in an interview had said, "Sonakshi is a wonderful actress who has her own style of acting. She has an absolutely different figure a typical, Indian figure and not size zero. Khaate peete gharane ki lagti hai. I am a pure Punjabi. I like heroines who are hari bhari. Chusa hua aam na lage.." However, Sonakshi has expertly shut the trolls and come to Akshay’s defense.
In an interview with a leading daily, Sonakshi said, “Firstly, let me start by saying that trolls really have nothing better to do in life, so this is what they resort to. People have to understand that I was heavily body shamed at the start of my career, in spite of having lost 30 kilos, and what Akshay said was probably in response to something on the same lines. They also have to understand that I have a great friendship and working equation with him, so he was talking about a friend and not a random person. If anything, he was being a gentleman and defending me with no intention of objectifying anyone. And if I, the person being referred to, has absolutely no problem with what was said, I don’t think anyone else should either. People need to start utilizing their time better rather than digging up stupid things and making an issue of it. Once it’s out there, it’s out there. And everyone has an opinion on everything. As celebrities, I think being responsible with what you say or post online is a better bet."
Sonakshi and Akshay have shared screen space in five films such as Rowdy Rathore, Joker, Once Upon A Time in Mumbai Dobaara!, Holiday: A Soldier is Never Off Duty and the recently released Mission Mangal.
(Source: Hindustan Times)