7 Outspoken Bollywood Heroines Whose Careers Suffered

Does it pay to speak out in Bollywood, especially if you are an actress?

Kangana Ranaut’s explosive interview has made everyone sit up and take notice. Whether the interview is a planned PR exercise or an impromptu fiery jig, that’s another matter. But like it or not, she is simply telling the industry that she is not going to take anyone’s rubbish keeping quiet.

But if you look at the long history of Bollywood, it doesn’t really appreciate outspoken actors. Yes, yes, you’re thinking about Vivek Oberoi. But more than men, it’s women who are generally discouraged from opining what their hearts and minds say.

Let’s take a look.

1. Mallika Sherawat

Famous for delivering kisses in her films like Khwahish (2003) and Murder (2004) which drove her hyper-ventilating Indian male fans to theatres and making her an instant star. In no time, the Haryanvi girl was shooting her mouth left, right, and center. Needless to say, her career also lost direction, and now, she is mostly doing Balle Balle in LA.

2. Bipasha Basu

Starting as the sultry seductress, the Bong bombshell’s career prospered, so did her romance with co-star John Abraham. The break-up was not a pleasant one, and Basu speaking didn’t really go down well in the male-dominated world of Bollywood. More recently Bipasha spoke out against a director who propositioned her on an outstation shoot, which probably shut the doors for her to star in one of those leave-your-bains-at-home Bollywood franchises. Now she is mostly screaming in horror flicks.

3. Sushmita Sen

India’s first Miss Universe has always been hailed as a headstrong woman, and she has admirably lived her life on her own terms, including being proud of her choice to be a single mother. Her image of an independent woman is well-regarded by everyone, but not when it comes to offering her films.

4. Vidya Balan

An ill-fated romance with Shahid Kapoor and her candid take on being fat didn’t really earn her the kudos she deserved. Her choice of roles, trying to be the glamour girl only added to the misery. It’s only after she embraced her sari-clad persona that Vidya rose to prominence and wrote a new kahaani.

5. Aishwarya Rai

After one of the most infamous Bollywood scandals that shook the nation, beauty queen turned actress Aishwarya Rai’s career took a nosedive when she spoke about being at the receiving end of abuse by none other than Salman Khan. It was only after her marriage into filmdom’s A-lister family, the Bachchans that she regained her star status.

6. Preity Zinta

She began her career as the quintessential bubbly girl, and went straight to the top bracket in lightening speed, working with the Khans. Trouble started when she became one rare actor who took a stand on the Bharat Shah case. Then IPL happened, and her romance with Ness Wadia bloomed in public eye, and Zinta made no bones about it. Everyone liked her no-nonsense attitude, but not as the heroine. Where’s she again?

7. Pooja Bhatt

Like her outspoken father, Mahesh Bhatt, Pooja was always candid about the way she conducted her life, never resorting to diplomacy. Unlike most actors of her time Pooja even openly spoke about an affair she had with a much married star. Offers dried up, and even being a director didn’t help.