Shehnaaz Gill Recalls Being Trolled for Her Weight and Called ‘Anpadh Gawaar’ for Her Diction in Bigg Boss

Shehnaaz Gill has reflected on the harsh trolling she experienced after entering Bigg Boss 13, revealing that criticism was directed not only at her appearance but also at the way she spoke.

In a recent interview, the actor and singer recalled being heavily criticised for her body and her language during her time on the reality show. She said that her Punjabi accent and informal way of speaking Hindi became targets for online trolls, with some people calling her “anpadh, gawaar”—a derogatory phrase meaning uneducated or uncouth. 

‘I was very trolled on Bigg Boss because of my body’

Gill said the criticism around her body was particularly intense during her Bigg Boss journey.

“I was very trolled on Bigg Boss because of my body. I was also trolled a lot for my language.”

She explained that people judged her casual conversations and the way she expressed herself, rather than accepting her personality and linguistic background. 

However, Gill believes that some of the traits she was mocked for eventually became part of the identity that connected her with audiences.

Her appearance on Bigg Boss 13 turned her into a household name. Before entering the show, she was primarily known for her work in Punjabi music videos and films. She eventually finished the season as the second runner-up, while emerging as one of the show's most popular contestants. 

Shehnaaz questions obsession with the ‘hourglass’ figure

Gill also spoke about society's changing expectations around women's bodies. She questioned why women are expected to conform to a particular body shape.

“I don't know why we all have to have an hourglass figure,” she said, arguing that different body types should be accepted rather than judged according to changing beauty trends. She suggested that if society begins celebrating healthier or fuller body types, that too could become a trend. 

The actor also said that she does not necessarily view gaining weight negatively. According to Gill, if she gains four or five kilograms, she can simply accept the change rather than constantly worrying about it.

‘It’s okay if you are comfortable in your body’

Gill emphasised that the most important factor is feeling comfortable with one's own appearance.

She said that if someone feels good about their body, there should be no need to conform to external expectations. Her comments come amid growing conversations around body-shaming and the pressure celebrities face to maintain a particular appearance.

She also recalled working on Ishqnama, where her director wanted her to retain a fuller face for the character. The filmmaker reportedly asked the makeup artist not to contour her face because it was looking too thin for the role. Gill said she was happy with how she eventually looked on screen. 

From Bigg Boss trolling to a successful career

What began as a period of intense public scrutiny eventually became a major turning point in Gill's career. Bigg Boss 13 gave her a nationwide audience and helped her transition from Punjabi entertainment into mainstream Hindi cinema and television.

Her journey has also included films such as Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, while she has continued working in music, entertainment and digital content.

Gill's latest comments underline how the criticism she once faced over her body and language did not prevent her from building a career. Instead, the qualities that attracted criticism during her Bigg Boss days became an important part of the public persona that audiences came to embrace.