Questions about weight are inappropriate, says Gouri Kishan; journalist replies it was meant in jest

CHENNAI: Actor Gouri Kishan took to social media on Saturday to speak out against body-shaming and inappropriate questions directed at women in the media.

Her post came after she received widespread support from industry colleagues and also the Chennai Press Club for calling out a journalist and YouTuber who had asked Gouri’s co-star about her weight. Gouri interrupted, calling the question “stupid” and "irrelevant to the film" and pointing out that female actors are often asked appearance-related questions, unlike their male counterparts. She said such queries normalise body-shaming and perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards.

In her statement, Gouri said the exchange “became unexpectedly tense” but offered an opportunity to reflect on how artists and the media engage with each other.