People used to body-shame me, I used to cry a lot: Akhila Bhargavan

Akhila Bhargavan, a rising star in the Malayalam film industry, opened up about the impact of body-shaming comments she faced when she first gained attention on social media. Known for her role in the highly successful film Premalu as Karthika, and her early fame through Instagram reels, Akhila shared how these negative comments affected her deeply.

In an interview with the Cue Studio, Akhila revealed that when she started posting reels, she was unaware of the potential backlash that would come with fame. After working in the short film Anurag Engineering Work, she received a lot of body-shaming comments on her posts, which left her feeling distressed. She admitted to having cried over the hurtful remarks.

Reflecting on her childhood, Akhila recalled that while family members and friends would occasionally tease her about her physique, it didn’t bother her much. However, the online comments from complete strangers were far more painful. It was during this challenging time that her partner, Rahul, provided the emotional support she needed, boosting her confidence.

Akhila also shared that comments questioning her ability to work in films because of her body were particularly hurtful. "Does being slim mean that you can’t act in movies?" Rahul would ask her, helping her stay motivated and confident in her career.

Despite the early body-shaming struggles, Akhila has now overcome these challenges and continues to gain recognition in the film industry. Her recent performances in films like Sookshmadharshini and her success in Premalu have further established her as a talent to watch. (With inputs from Agencies)