‘Silenced by a room full of men’: Actor Gouri Kishan calls out body shaming, wins internet support | WATCH

Chennai: Actress Gouri Kishan, best known for her breakout role in 96, has become the talk of the town after a viral video from a Chennai press meet showed her calling out a journalist for body-shaming. The incident took place during promotions for her upcoming film ‘Others’, set to release in theatres on November 7.

The actress’s strong response has earned widespread praise from the film fraternity, fans, and social media users alike, many of whom hailed her for “speaking up when others stayed silent.”

What happened at the Chennai press meet

During the event, Gouri, along with director Abin Hariharan and co-star Aditya Madhavan, faced an unexpected and uncomfortable moment when a journalist asked a question implying criticism of her body weight.

Visibly upset, Gouri did not hold back.

“This is not journalism first of all,” she said. “What is interesting? That is a very disrespectful question. You asked the hero that day how much the heroine weighs — that is body shaming. That’s the director’s choice. Who are you to comment?”

The exchange quickly grew tense as the journalist tried to defend his question, while others in the room attempted to downplay the incident as “light-hearted.”

“I am the only woman in this place,” Gouri continued. “He is yelling like this. There is no woman here. I am targeted as a woman. Do you know my problem? I have hormonal issues. Should I be zero size to be an actress? What will you do knowing my weight? I’ll let my talent speak — I don’t need validation.”

Her words drew applause online, even as several attendees at the venue reportedly tried to interrupt her.

Gouri Kishan shares her side: “Silenced by a room full of men”

After the video went viral, Gouri took to Instagram Stories to express how she felt in the moment.

“Silenced by a room full of men and expected to sit quietly while they shame you publicly - not happening,” she wrote.

She further added, “The question was not to you, then why are you reacting. Commenting about my body and they have the audacity to ask me why I'm reacting. Ridiculous!!”

Her posts resonated deeply with fans, especially women in the film industry who often face similar scrutiny over appearance.

Netizens and celebs rally behind Gouri

The viral clip has sparked a major debate online about sexism and body-shaming in cinema promotions.

Singer and activist Chinmayi Sripaada publicly praised Gouri for standing her ground.

“Gouri did an amazing job,” she wrote. “The moment you call out a disrespectful and an unnecessary question - a whole lot of shouting down happens. So proud that someone so young stood her ground and pushed back. No male actor gets asked what his weight is. No idea why they asked a female actor.”

Politician and actress Kushboo also took to her X account to praise the actress, writing, “The so called journos take journalism to the gutters. How much a woman weighs is none of their business. And asking the hero about it?? What a shame! Kudos to the young #GowriShankar who stood her ground and gave it back."

Social media users also slammed the male journalist for his remarks and others for their silence.

One user commented, “The hero and director just sat there quietly. Shame on them for not standing up for her.”

Actor Aditya Madhavan responds to backlash

Facing backlash for not intervening, Gouri’s ‘Others’ co-star Aditya Madhavan later responded under Chinmayi’s post.

He clarified, “My Silence didn’t mean i approve body shaming of anyone. I froze because it caught me off guard as it is my debut. I wish I’d stepped in sooner. She didn’t deserve that. No one does. Everyone deserves respect, regardless of who we are. I apologise once again.”

Gouri’s confrontation has reignited conversations about how women in the film industry are often judged for their looks before their talent. Her unapologetic response has turned her into a symbol of confidence and resistance against sexism and outdated beauty standards in cinema.

Fans say Gouri’s moment could inspire more actresses to speak up against invasive and insensitive questions at press events.

One user wrote, “She didn’t just defend herself — she defended every woman who’s been mocked for her body.”