‘I have been asked to darken my skin at a time when fair skin is celebrated’, says Sapthami Gowda

No longer confined to conventional beauty ideals, cinema has evolved to champion inclusivity, showcasing the talent and beauty of actresses with diverse skin tones, including dusky skin tones, believes actress Sapthami Gowda. She adds, “While this change is refreshing and much needed, it has taken an interesting turn for me. For some reason, since the beginning of my career, filmmakers have consistently asked me to darken my skin tone, even when the role doesn’t necessarily require it.”

While certain characters have justified this aesthetic choice, it has become a recurring trend in all her films, the Kantara actress notes. “It’s amusing how every role I’ve played so far has involved making my skin look several shades darker, to the point that it has almost become my trademark. Why that is, I truly don’t understand,” she shares. Even her makeup artiste Romi, has adapted to this pattern. “She carries two kits—one specifically to dull my skin for shoots and another with regular makeup for events,” Sapthami reveals. “I would love for a filmmaker to see me for who I really am and allow me to appear on screen in my natural skin tone.”