Actress Neha Dhupia recalls casting director’s remark

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia has shared a painful early-career experience, saying a casting director’s harsh comment deeply impacted her self-confidence.

The actress said that during an audition, she smiled while speaking, after which the casting director told her not to smile because she “looked bad” doing so. Neha Dhupia said the remark stayed with her for years and affected her self-image.

She added that despite later winning the Miss India title, she struggled for a long time to feel comfortable smiling in photographs.

In the same discussion, actress Huma Qureshi also spoke about the impact of social media trolling, saying harsh online criticism affected her mental health and led her to seek psychological support.

Both actors highlighted the emotional pressure faced by public figures and the long-lasting impact of negative remarks in the entertainment industry.