Actress Poonam Jangra shares her perspective on how beauty norms in Indian television are shifting, highlighting the growing emphasis on real, character-driven storytelling.
For her, genuine portrayals and meaningful narratives matter far more than surface-level appearances.
Poonam Jangra, currently seen as Rajni in Tumm Se Tumm Tak, a show produced by Prateek Sharma and Parth Shah under their banner Studio LSD, acknowledges that looks do play a role in the entertainment world, but emphasises that staying true to the character and story is far more meaningful.
Society Has Set Unrealistic Standards, Not Just for Actors
Speaking candidly, she shares her views on evolving beauty standards, societal expectations, and the importance of character-driven storytelling over superficial presentation.
Poonam Jangra said, “As actors, it is somewhat important to look a certain way that appears presentable in public. But this pressure isn’t exclusive to actors, it applies to many professionals.
Society has created these expectations for everyone. I don’t think this pressure necessarily increases or decreases over time; it really depends on how each individual perceives it and how much they let it affect them.”
Embracing Change-Diversity on Indian Television
She also agrees that the screen has been biased toward a certain kind of look in the past, but feels that things are finally changing. “Indian television is starting to embrace diversity, whether in terms of body shapes, skin colors, or fashion choices. As an actor, it feels great to witness and be part of this positive shift in the industry,” she said.
“Lately, we’re seeing more experimentation and content that openly represents different body types, skin tones, and backgrounds. I believe this change is driven by the evolving mindset of both creators and audiences, who now value authenticity and relatability over superficial standards,” Poonam Jangra added.
However, Poonam Jangra disagrees with the idea that certain characters need to look a specific way to be impactful.
“It has never been essential to make a character glamorous for them to be impactful. For example, Anu from our show Tumm Se Tumm Tak has a very simple and sober appearance, yet she stands out as a strong, independent girl. Her impact comes from her personality and choices, not how she looks,” she explained.
As an actor, Poonam Jangra is open to experimenting with her appearance when the role demands it. “I’m definitely open to experimenting with my looks to make a character more relatable and authentic,” she said.
“But I strongly believe that any such transformation should be driven by the character’s needs, not by societal pressure or trends. The focus should always be on storytelling, not appearance,” Poonam Jangra concluded.
