'Akshay Kumar Made Fun Of My Skin Color In Front Of 100 People On Set', Reveals Shanthipriya, Says It Led To Depression

Shanthipriya, who has worked with Bollywood stars such as Akshay Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty, Sunny Deol, has now opened up about colorism in Bollywood. She was the lead female in Akshay Kumar’s debut film Saugandh, and also starred in another film Ikke Pe Ikka with him. In a recent interview, she revealed that Akshay Kumar had joked about her skin color on set, in front of about 100 people. She also shared that her sister Bhanupriya left Bollywood due to discrimination based on color.

In an interview with Navbharat Times, Shanthipriya talked about her experience in Bollywood and said that there was discrimination based on skin color. In the interview, she revealed that while times have changed now, back in the '90s, her dark complexion had become her biggest enemy. She revealed how her complexion added to her inferiority complex, and her confidence was shattered. While working with Akshay Kumar in the film Saungandh, Shanthipriya revealed that she was often asked in front of the entire crew members as to who did her make-up. She would say she did it herself, after which the shooting of the film was stopped and she was called over. She was told that the makeup was all wrong and that her makeup should match that of the hero’s.

Shanthipriya revealed that while working with Akshay Kumar in Ikke pe Ikka, her character would wear short dresses, below which she would don skin-colored stockings. She said that during the shoot, Akshay made fun of her and joked about her knees looking black over the stockings. Apart from them, there were about 100 other people on set, in front of whom, Akshay Kumar said that ‘there are huge blood clots on Shanthi’s legs.’ She revealed Akshay Kumar kept repeating it and showing it to everyone. When she asked where ae the blood clots, Akshay Kumar asked her to see her knees.

Shanthipriya explained that while that was all said as a joke, it stayed with her for a long time and she still cannot forget about it. After the incident, she went into depression, she went to her mom and cried, but never used fairness cream in her life. She did add that Akshay Kumar is her good friend, and that she isn’t complaining. A few years ago when she told Akshay Kumar that she wanted to make a comeback, he was very supportive and said that he was always there for her. ALSO READ: Bigg Boss 14: Has Akshay Kumar's Debut Film Saugandh Actress Shanthipriya Been Approached For Salman Khan's Show? Here’s The Truth