Welsh-Indian actress Banita Sandhu has shared her personal experience with body shaming during her early years in the film industry. Known for her roles in October and Sardar Udham, Sandhu spoke candidly about facing harsh criticism for her appearance, especially during her time working on a South Indian film.
She recalled the moment clearly. People on the internet called her “too skinny” and even questioned how her co-star could be attracted to someone with her body type. “That was the first time I experienced body shaming,” she said. The criticism came after she played a lead role in a Tamil-language film. Viewers posted comments online, targeting her slim frame and labeling her “ugly” because she didn’t fit local beauty standards.
Despite the harsh words, Sandhu explained that she managed to handle the criticism without letting it harm her self-worth. She noted that since she wasn’t from that cultural background, she could view the backlash with some emotional distance. “I didn’t take it to heart. I just thought — the beauty standards in that region are different. That’s okay,” she shared.
Sandhu, who was born and raised in Caerleon, Wales, said that she’s always had a naturally slim figure. “I eat the most on set,” she added with a smile. She stressed that online comments should not be taken seriously. “You just can’t let it affect you. You really can’t,” she said.
The actress made her film debut in 2018 with the Hindi movie October, directed by Shoojit Sircar. The opportunity turned out to be a major turning point in her life. She described it as a “blessing and a curse.” She was grateful for the chance to work with such a skilled director early in her career but admitted it set a high standard that has been difficult to match ever since.
After October, Sandhu appeared in the American TV series Pandora and the Tamil film Adithya Varma in 2019. She later earned praise for her performance in the 2021 biographical drama Sardar Udham.
Now, Sandhu is preparing for her next release, Detective Sherdil, where she stars alongside Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh. The film will premiere on Zee5 on June 20, 2025. Talking about her role, Sandhu revealed that her character is deaf, which required careful research and rehearsals. “I had only two weeks to prepare. It was intense. We did workshops and worked through every detail,” she explained. She said it was important to understand the role on a deep level so that technical challenges didn’t interfere with the emotions of each scene.
The movie was filmed in Budapest, and Sandhu described the experience as one of the most enjoyable times she’s had on a movie set. “It was beautiful. I had a blast,” she said. She praised the ensemble cast, which includes Diana Penty, Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak Shah, Chunky Panday, Sumeet Vyas, and Kashmira Irani. The film is directed and edited by Ravi Chhabriya.
Sandhu also spoke warmly about working with Dosanjh. She had previously shared screen space with him in the 2018 music video Jindh Mahi. She noted that his personality and work ethic haven’t changed over the years. “He’s focused, disciplined, and he keeps his head down. It’s no surprise to me that he has achieved such stardom,” she said.
Calling him “the best-dressed man in India,” she praised his style and energy on set. The team even created several fun video reels during filming.
Sandhu’s story sheds light on the unrealistic expectations placed on actresses, especially in different film industries. Her calm approach to criticism and her commitment to her work show the strength she carries both on and off screen.
