Nora Fatehi reveals she asks her stylist not to dress her like Janhvi Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Sara Ali Khan, here's why

Nora Fatehi, known for her captivating dance moves in hit tracks like Dilbar, Garmi, and Kamariya, has not only made a name for herself with her talent but also for her outspoken views on various issues within the entertainment industry.

One such subject that she has recently opened about is the struggle with her body type and how stylists in Bollywood often find it challenging to dress her. In a candid conversation at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, Nora discussed her journey in dealing with fashion choices, the pressures of fitting into a standard mold, and how she navigates those challenges in an industry that often prizes a particular body type.

Refusing to Conform: Nora's Early Fashion Rebellion

Nora's journey in Bollywood wasn't always smooth, especially when it came to the fashion choices that were being made for her. She revealed that even during the early days of her career, when she was not yet a household name, she was determined to assert her own style. The moment that stands out is when she was preparing for the iconic song Dilbar from Satyameva Jayate. "I refused to wear the blouse that the stylists had initially designed for me for the song,” she recalled. Despite the fact that she didn’t have significant industry power at the time, she was resolute in her decision. “I asked them to reconstruct it,” she shared, emphasizing that she had a clear vision of what she wanted to wear and how she wanted to be portrayed, even in the early stages of her career.

Her decision to speak up about her choices wasn't without its challenges, and it made her realize just how difficult it was for many in the industry to understand her body type. But Nora has never been one to back down from advocating for herself.

Standing Her Ground: The Power of Choice

As Nora's career progressed and she gained more recognition in Bollywood, she began to have more influence in terms of her styling and the image she wanted to project. Today, she is a force to be reckoned with in the industry, and she no longer hesitates to speak her mind when it comes to her wardrobe. "Today, when I do have the power to talk, I do tell my stylists, ‘This is too much,’” she shared with conviction.

She emphasized that while many actresses like Ananya Panday, Sara Ali Khan, and Janhvi Kapoor are often dressed in a particular way, those same choices don’t necessarily work for her body type. “The way they dress Ananya, Sara, or Janhvi, they cannot dress me the same way. My body is not the same," Nora explained. She pointed out the stark difference between her physique and those of her contemporaries, something that is often overlooked by stylists and directors who are used to dressing actresses with different body proportions.

The Struggle with Bollywood's Beauty Standards

One of the central themes of Nora’s statement is the challenge of fitting into Bollywood’s traditional beauty standards, where slim, hourglass-shaped bodies are often idealized. She noted that her body type is not as common in the industry, and stylists often don’t know how to dress her in a way that flatters her curves without compromising the visual aesthetics of a song or scene. "I have a lot of conflicts where I do have to push this on stylists and directors because they will make certain clothes and be like, ‘Well, the others are wearing this,’” Nora shared. But she makes it clear that just because something works on others doesn’t mean it will work for her. “I am like, ‘I get that, but the others don’t look like me, unfortunately, when I wear it.’"

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For Nora, the issue goes beyond mere fashion preferences. It’s about ensuring that the focus remains on her performance, especially during dance sequences. "If I wear what they wore, it would just take away from the choreography and the beauty of the dance, the beauty of the presence and the song," she explained. Nora understands the importance of complementing the choreography and the artistic direction of a song, and her wardrobe choices are an extension of that understanding.

 Breaking Stereotypes and Promoting Body Positivity 
Nora’s boldness in voicing her opinions about her body type and fashion choices is a reflection of her broader stance on body positivity. In an industry that often prioritizes a singular image of beauty, she is helping to shift the conversation toward embracing diverse body types. Her refusal to conform to the traditional Bollywood beauty standards is an important step in challenging the rigid stereotypes that have long dominated the industry.

Despite the initial resistance from stylists and directors, Nora’s insistence on advocating for her vision has eventually led to mutual understanding. "It’s tough for stylists and directors to understand where I am coming from, but once I push and they get it, they are like, ‘Okay, cool,’" she said, highlighting that her persistence has paid off.

Nora Fatehi continues to evolve in her career, with exciting new projects on the horizon. She was recently seen in the comedy Madgaon Express, alongside Divyenndu, Avinash Tiwari, and Pratik Gandhi, and she is set to make her debut in the Telugu film industry with Matka, starring Meenakshi Chaudhary and Varun Tej. As she forges ahead, Nora remains committed to making her voice heard, both in terms of her career choices and her fashion sense.