Malavika Mohanan Opens Up on Body Shaming and South Cinema's 'Navel Obsession': “I Was Trolled So Much for Being Skinny”

Mumbai, April 21 Actress Malavika Mohanan, known for her work across Bollywood and South Indian cinema, has made headlines with her candid take on the double standards and body shaming faced by female actors. In a recent interview with Hauterrfly, Malavika addressed the cultural expectations, objectification, and trolling that women face in the industry, especially highlighting the South Indian film world’s much-discussed “navel obsession.”

“Should I Be Fit or Curvy?”

Navigating the contrasting beauty standards of different regional industries hasn’t been easy, Malavika admitted.

“Every industry has a different idea of the ideal female body type,” she said. “In Mumbai, if you gain even a little weight, someone will comment. But in Chennai, if I’m super fit, people say ‘You lost your chub, you were cuter before.’”

The constant criticism left her confused and disoriented in the early days of her career. “I was trolled so much for being skinny. It really affected me,” she confessed. “Now I’ve reached a place where I just focus on being healthy.”

“Navel Obsession Is Real”

One of the more eye-opening revelations in her interview was the South Indian film industry’s fixation on the female navel, something she initially found “perplexing.”

“I’ve grown up in Mumbai. It was new to me that navels are zoomed into so much. You see edited pictures online, and it’s clear — navel obsession is a very real thing.”

This comment has reignited conversations about objectification of women in Indian cinema, particularly in how female bodies are framed in visual storytelling.

From ‘Master’ to ‘Thangalaan’

Malavika, who made her debut with Pattam Pole and rose to fame with roles in Petta, Master, and the upcoming Thangalaan, is no stranger to the pressures of stardom. Despite navigating multiple industries and evolving beauty standards, she’s now more focused on authenticity.

“There’s always going to be someone who doesn’t like something about you. You can’t please everyone.”

Netizens React: Applause for Her Honesty

Fans and celebrities alike have praised Malavika for speaking openly about issues that are often brushed under the rug in the entertainment world. Many have taken to social media to applaud her for shedding light on body image struggles, regional double standards, and the silent pressures actresses endure.