‘It’s the flaws that make you you’: Alia Bhatt talks about impossible standards for women

Women are coming to the realisation that they don’t have to be anything other than who they are. They do not have to play by anyone else’s rules or edit themselves. Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt stressed on the power being your authentic self carries and said our flaws are what define us.

The Gangubai actor received a TIME100 Impact Award in Singapore on Sunday. She shared a video compilation of her at the ceremony on Tuesday and wrote, “There are so many rules these days — especially for women. Don’t be loud. But don’t be timid. Don’t be too curvy. But don’t be too skinny. Have ambition. But don’t overreach. Be confident. But not cocky. There are so many rules that knowingly or unknowingly we think in order to be liked, to be loved, to be good, we have to be completely devoid of fault — an impossible, mythical being that could only really exist in the pages of a fairytale.”

She continued and talked about how her mentality has revolted against society’s standards. “But over the last ten years I’ve come to fully realise something I subconsciously knew all along. Perfection is boring. It’s the flaws that make you YOU.”

Bhatt’s entire speech at the award ceremony revolved around the impact being your authentic self carries. “Through my movies and my characters, I’ve tried to celebrate flawed people. Because at the end of the day, it’s the imperfections that make a character compelling,” she said. “What I’m trying to say is that being yourself is truly the greatest impact that you could make.”

The Darlings actor said that everyone must come as they are — whether it’s onscreen or offscreen. “In the movies and in life, you do not have to be perfect; you just have to bring everything you have—the lows, the highs and the real things we are actually afraid of speaking about. There’s no greater impact than being yourself.

Pakistani actors and models have also promoted authentic beauty over perfection. Last year, Syra Yousuf was trolled online for looking ‘older’ and having textured skin in a photo. She posted an unfiltered picture and stated “I really like my skin.” Nadia Hussain used her social media influence to encourage her followers to value their natural, unfiltered self.