Hina Khan recalls losing a project because of dusky complexion; says ‘I really felt bad’

One of the most popular and adored actresses of Indian television, Hina Khan began her journey in the entertainment world as a contestant of Indian Idol. She went on to make her acting debut as Akshara in one of the longest running TV soaps of all time-- Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. Hina won the audience over as a sanskaari bahu and became a household name. Well, she later quit the soap and participated in a few reality shows before bagging the negative role of Komolika in Ekta Kapoor’s Kasautii Zindagii Kay. With every single one of her projects, Hina proved her versatility and made it clear that there’s nothing she can’t do!

But the world is not a fair place to live in and sometimes even being incredibly talented is sadly not enough. In a recent chat with ETimes, the actress recalled losing a project because she didn’t ‘look Kashmiri enough’ despite being a Kashmiri herself. Hina was quoted saying, “I can’t talk about the project, but I remember I could not crack a project because I didn’t look Kashmiri enough. I am Kashmiri and I can fluently speak the language but I didn’t get cast because my complexion is dusky and I am not extremely fair. That’s what the team and character demanded.”

She went on to add, “I really felt bad. When you know the language so well, probably you could have worked wonders in that character, but I didn’t get cast only because I don’t look Kashmiri (laughs). I never lose hope, I don’t give up. I keep trying!”

Sadly, the ‘beauty standards’ set by society are unnecessarily high in today’s world. All we can do is learn how to shatter the glass ceiling the way Hina is doing! You go girl.