Muskaan Agarwal calls out the double standards in the entertainment industry around bold content, pointing out how mainstream actors are praised while others are unfairly judged. With strong views and a growing body of work, she’s pushing back against stereotypes and demanding recognition beyond labels.
With her participation in House Arrest and a string of bold performances that have made her a prominent face on OTT platforms, Muskaan Agarwal has often been in the spotlight—not just for her work, but also for the controversy and judgment that comes with being unapologetically sensual on screen. Now, the actress is speaking out loud and clear against what she calls the entertainment industry’s deeply entrenched double standards.
“Look, this is the reality—actors who do bold roles are not cast in mainstream or emotionally layered parts,” Muskaan said, her voice carrying the weight of experience. Muskaan Agarwal added, “The Royals came, Bhumi Pednekar did a bold character. It had more romance than story. If it’s acceptable and even celebrated when they take on bold roles, then why are we judged for doing the same?”
For Muskaan Agarwal, the issue isn’t with bold content—it’s with the selective reverence the industry offers. Big names doing the same thing are called daring or progressive, while others are branded and boxed in.
Muskaan Agarwal said, “They think if someone does bold roles, then they can’t act. That’s their mindset. But there have been so many films lately filled with intimate scenes—and they get celebrated. So why the discrimination?”
Having worked with platforms like Ullu and ALTT Balaji, Muskaan is all too familiar with the stigma attached to these spaces. According to her, these platforms have been wrongly labeled as “lesser” when, in reality, they have created room for a different kind of storytelling—and for actors who deserve opportunities beyond stereotypes.
Muskaan Agarwal said, “They only want to give us work on OTT platforms. They don’t give variations in characters. Why not? Every episode, every story needs freshness. So why not give those chances to us too?”
What frustrates her most, however, is the narrow lens through which the industry views actors who have taken on bold roles. Casting agents and decision-makers, she says, often judge based on preconceived notions rather than performance.
Muskaan Agarwal shared, “Let them think what they want. I don’t need to prove myself anymore. If they don’t see acting in bold scenes, that’s on them, not me.”
Muskaan Agarwal believes the emotional and psychological complexity required to portray intimacy with authenticity is far more nuanced than many realize. Yet, the contributions of actors like her are often overlooked in favour of glamorised narratives featuring A-listers.
On the work front, Muskaan Agarwal has been part of projects like Shraap, Graduate With First Class, Paurashpur, Chumbak, Love Guru, Namkeen Kisse, and Char Saheliyaan, among others.
