“I Used to Beg for the Hero’s Vanity Van”: Nushrratt Bharuccha Slams Sexism in Bollywood

Despite a decade in the industry, Nushrratt Bharuccha opens up about battling gender bias, lack of support, and being sidelined even after a blockbuster hit.

Bollywood actress Nushrratt Bharuccha is no stranger to the spotlight, but behind the glamour, she’s faced a relentless struggle for equal footing. In a candid interview with Nayandeep Rakshit on his YouTube channel, the Chhorii 2 star opened up about the deep-rooted sexism that continues to plague the Hindi film industry—from unequal work opportunities to basic on-set facilities.

Hits Don’t Guarantee Roles—At Least Not for Women
Reflecting on her journey since her breakout role in Pyaar Ka Punchnama (2011), Nushrratt highlighted a stark contrast in how male and female actors are treated after success. “The moment a guy delivers a hit—whether he’s an insider or outsider—he gets five film offers instantly,” she said. “But when it’s a woman, we still have to hustle.” According to her, it’s not just about bagging a lead role, but about being trusted with substantial, meaningful projects—something that remains a challenge even after delivering box office hits.

“Can I Please Use the Hero’s Washroom?”
Nushrratt also shed light on the glaring inequality that extends beyond scripts and screen time. She recalled instances on set where she found herself asking if she could use the male lead’s vanity van—simply because it had better facilities. “The washrooms in the hero’s van were just nicer,” she said. “I would quietly ask around if I could use it for five minutes. He wasn’t there anyway.” These moments, she admitted, stayed with her as silent reminders of the uphill climb women still face in the industry.

Manifesting Her Own Worth
One of the most telling anecdotes came from a moment during an international flight. Offered a business class seat by friends, Nushrratt chose to stay in economy. “I said, ‘No, this is the seat given to me right now. I’ll wait until the day they book me business class tickets using the production house’s money, not my own,’” she explained. And with quiet determination, she did just that—reaching a place in her career where she now receives the respect she once had to earn tooth and nail.

Abandoned After Her Biggest Hit
Perhaps the most heartbreaking moment of the interview came when she recounted being dropped by her talent agency right after what she described as the biggest hit of her career. “My manager called me for coffee and told me they were letting me go,” Nushrratt said. “I tried to hold back tears, but I broke down. That moment crushed me.” The next two years were bleak, with no work, no team, and no clear direction. “People thought I was being selective. But truthfully, I was just broken, alone, and trying to survive,” she admitted.

Despite these setbacks, Nushrratt’s story is one of resilience. By speaking up now, she hopes to spotlight the silent battles many actresses continue to fight in Bollywood—a world still grappling with gender parity.

Stay connected with us for the latest and exclusive updates on Hindi cinema—only here!

📲 Follow us on:
🔵 Facebook: https://t.ly/wlDW8
🐦 X (Twitter): https://t.ly/RhEuy
🧵 Threads: https://t.ly/Kb9xC
📸 Instagram: https://t.ly/uuCLg
▶️ YouTube: https://t.ly/FA5w_