How One Woman Exposed India’s Culture of Body Shaming
When Silence Speaks Louder: The Gouri Kishan Incident Reveals Deep-Rooted Gender Bias and Societal Complicity; Where Men Instigate, Women Endure, and Society Looks Away
During a press event promoting an upcoming movie, a YouTuber asked the lead male actor a question posed as casual and factual: “You lifted Gouri Kishan, how much does she weigh?” The question reduced the lead female actor to nothing more than an object measured by size—a thoughtless query from a so-called journalist who judged her solely by her physical appearance, ignoring her talent and professional achievements. The room fell silent in defense; instead, the question sparked laughter. Gouri, sitting on stage with her crew, was left speechless—caught off guard, uncertain how to respond—and the moment quickly passed.
At a follow-up press meet, with the same YouTuber present, the topic resurfaced and Gouri immediately pushed back—asking how her weight was relevant to the film, emphasising that women come in all shapes and sizes, and insisting her work, not her body, should be the focus. For over 10-12 minutes, she defended her basic right to bodily autonomy and professional respect before a room full of social media influencers whose reviews hold significant sway over a film’s success. The packed audience recorded the incident on their smartphones, but her co-star, director, and team on stage remained silent. The lack of support from those closest to her, and the quiet watchfulness of the room, spoke volumes about the broader culture of indifference she was confronting.
As I watched the social media clips replay repeatedly over the past several weeks—clips that captured national attention—one moment stood out above all, reminding me of how deeply entrenched patriarchy, male ego, and family hierarchies continue to silence women and chastise men in South India.
It was the expression on Gouri Kishan’s face, vividly captured on camera, that spoke volumes to me: an extraordinary blend of helplessness and fierce courage.
She was summoning the strength to hold back tears, to stand tall in a room dominated by men, and fight not only for her own dignity but for every woman who has endured similar indignities. That sustained moment embodies the quiet resilience and bravery required to confront a culture that often demands silence from those it seeks to marginalize.
This is what makes Gouri Kishan’s stand so profoundly inspiring—it is a testament to the courage required to claim respect in the face of disregard. In a recent interview with India Today, Gouri reflects candidly on the incident and on that powerful moment captured on camera—the moment that left a lasting impression on me.
The Silence of Institutions: Why Support Failed Gouri Kishan in Real Time
The most troubling aspect of Gouri Kishan’s experience was not the offensive question itself, but the collective silence that surrounded it. In a room full of journalists, media professionals, film industry veterans, and her own co-star and director, virtually no one spoke up in her defense while she was being subjected to this treatment. This silence is not accidental—it reflects deeply embedded patterns in Indian society where women’s voices, particularly when they challenge male authority or established norms, are systematically marginalized and silenced. Research on women journalists in South Asia reveals a troubling pattern: women who challenge patriarchal norms face severe backlash, yet institutional support is virtually non-existent. Even more concerning is the realization that institutions—whether media organizations, film bodies, or corporate environments—often do not consider it their responsibility to intervene when gender-based disrespect occurs in real time.
The delayed support that eventually came for Gouri Kishan—triggered only after her video went viral on social media—highlights a significant structural issue in patriarchal societies: women’s voices often gain recognition not through institutional backing, but through widespread public validation. Press clubs, South Indian film industry bodies, and cinema collectives ultimately issued statements condemning the behavior and expressing solidarity. Numerous actors also publicly supported her. However, this backing emerged only after the incident became impossible to ignore due to viral social media attention. This pattern exposes how institutions in India tend to be reactive rather than proactive in addressing gender-based harassment and discrimination. They frequently await public pressure before taking any action, implying that without widespread social media outcry, such incidents might have been dismissed or relegated to the background noise of everyday misogyny.
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The YouTube Journalist vs. The Professional: A Question of Accountability
One of the unsettling aspects of Gouri Kishan’s experience was the role played by a so-called journalist—a YouTuber who asked the insensitive question that was less about insight and more about spectacle. The casual cruelty of that question, posed in front of cameras and a crowd, felt like an object lesson in how the new media landscape pressures film promotions to cater not to journalistic rigor, but to clicks and controversy.
This is not to dismiss the evolving landscape of journalism. YouTube creators have democratized access, given voice to many unheard, and challenged traditional gatekeepers. But with this power comes responsibility—responsibility that seems glaringly absent in that moment. The YouTuber’s question was framed as innocent curiosity, yet it reduced a professional actor to a body measurement, an object to be weighed and sized rather than respected for craft.
Contrast this with the kind of journalism practiced by seasoned reporters from global outfits like the BBC or CNN. These professionals are trained to pursue lines of inquiry that reveal character, context, and complexity. They understand when a question crosses from inquiry into insensitivity. Their ethos is not to generate clicks through discomfort, but to illuminate truth with empathy and respect.
The film fraternity, caught between traditional media and this newer model of content creators, finds itself in a precarious position. These YouTube journalists wield significant influence, shaping public perception through viral moments. Consequently, events that should be platforms for meaningful dialogue become arenas for sensationalism, often at the expense of dignity—particularly women’s.
The question then arises: should the industry implicitly endorse such conduct by giving airtime, by allowing these moment-driven queries to eclipse thoughtful discourse? And if not, what accountability mechanisms exist for these new media figures who straddle the line between journalism and entertainment? Who upholds standards when the lines blur?
Gouri Kishan’s ordeal shines a spotlight on these tensions. It exposes a system that prioritizes virality and spectacle over respect and professionalism. It challenges us to reconsider not just what questions we ask, but who we call a journalist—and what that title entails in this new age.
In a world reshaped by digital platforms, the hope is that the core values of journalism—truth, respect, ethical responsibility—are not casualties of this transition, but rather its guiding stars. Only then can we hope to create spaces where artists like Gouri are valued beyond physicality, and where questions are bridges to understanding, not weapons of marginalization.
Patriarchy, Male Ego, and Family Hierarchies: A Personal Context
To truly understand Gouri Kishan’s experience, it is essential to look at the specific cultural dynamics of South India, where deeply entrenched patriarchal hierarchies persist despite the region’s reputation for high literacy rates and relative progressivism.
