Actor Kirti Kulhari, known for her impactful performances in films like Pink, Mission Mangal, and Uri: The Surgical Strike, recently revealed that she felt sidelined during the promotions of Pink (2016). In a candid interview, she expressed how Taapsee Pannu was projected as the face of the film, earning the title of “Pink Girl,” which affected both their professional dynamics and personal equation.
This revelation sheds light on a recurring issue in Bollywood—the selective focus on certain actors during film promotions, often leaving others feeling undervalued. Let’s take a deeper look at Kirti’s statement, the possible reasons behind this industry trend, and similar past instances where actors have felt overshadowed.
Kirti Kulhari on Pink Promotions
In her statement, Kirti Kulhari shared that she initially believed Pink was an equal-opportunity film where all three lead actresses—Taapsee Pannu, Andrea Tariang, and herself—would get equal recognition. However, once the film was released, she noticed a stark difference in the way the film was marketed and promoted.
She said, “Taapsee was suddenly labeled the ‘Pink Girl,’ and it became all about her. It was as if the rest of us didn’t exist. I never understood why the promotions were so focused on just one person.”
According to Kirti, this shift in focus created an imbalance in the way the film was perceived by the audience. While she acknowledged that Taapsee had a significant role, she also believed that the story was built around all three female leads. However, the promotions made it seem as if Taapsee was the sole protagonist, sidelining Kirti and Andrea.
Why Does Bollywood Favor Certain Actors in Promotions?
The way films are marketed in Bollywood often depends on several factors, including an actor’s marketability, their PR strategy, and the narrative that filmmakers and production houses want to push forward. Here are some possible reasons why Taapsee Pannu emerged as the ‘Pink Girl’ while Kirti Kulhari felt ignored:
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Star Power & Marketability
At the time of Pink’s release, Taapsee Pannu had already gained recognition with films like Baby (2015). Her performance in Pink further solidified her status in Bollywood. This may have made her a more bankable face for promotions compared to the relatively lesser-known Kirti and Andrea. -
PR Strategies & Media Attention
Film promotions rely heavily on PR strategies. An actor with a strong PR team can often get more interviews, social media coverage, and media appearances, which helps them stay in the limelight. Taapsee, with her strong social media presence and outspoken personality, naturally attracted more media attention. -
Box Office Strategy
Sometimes, production houses choose to highlight one actor more than others based on their perceived potential to bring in audiences. Since Pink was marketed as a film with a strong feminist message, the makers may have decided to push Taapsee’s image more aggressively to create a connection with younger audiences.
Bollywood’s History of Overshadowed Actors
Kirti Kulhari’s experience isn’t an isolated case. Many actors in Bollywood have spoken about feeling overshadowed during film promotions. Here are some notable examples:
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Abhishek Bachchan in Guru
Despite delivering a career-defining performance in Guru (2007), much of the promotional attention was on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Since she was an international star and had a stronger fan base, she received more media coverage. -
Randeep Hooda in Sarbjit
In Sarbjit (2016), Randeep Hooda played the titular role, but Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who played his sister, was given more promotional focus. This led to criticism from fans who felt Randeep deserved more recognition. -
Diana Penty in Cocktail
Cocktail (2012) was a breakthrough film for Diana Penty, but the promotions mostly revolved around Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan. Despite Diana playing a key role, she was rarely given equal screen time in promotional events.
Industry & Audience Reactions
Following Kirti’s statement, many fans and industry insiders have expressed their views on the matter. While some sympathized with her, others pointed out that such biases are common in Bollywood.
Some social media users commented:
- “This is how Bollywood works. They always push the most bankable face forward. Sadly, Kirti is right.”
- “She deserved more credit for Pink! Her performance was equally strong.”
- “Taapsee did an amazing job, but Kirti and Andrea were equally important to the film.”
However, some argued that Taapsee Pannu’s rising popularity post-Pink was a result of her own talent and not just promotional bias.
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Conclusion: Is There a Solution?
Kirti Kulhari’s revelation has once again sparked the debate on promotional bias in Bollywood. While the industry is changing with the rise of OTT platforms and more diverse storytelling, promotional strategies still tend to favor certain actors over others.
To create a more balanced approach, production houses and PR teams should:
- Ensure equal promotional opportunities for all lead actors.
- Highlight the contributions of all artists rather than focusing on just one or two faces.
- Encourage media platforms to give fair coverage to all key performers in a film.
While Bollywood remains a competitive industry, voices like Kirti’s help shed light on the unfair practices that need to be addressed. Hopefully, her honesty will lead to more inclusive promotional strategies in the future.
