Kareena Kapoor Khan, one of Bollywood's most celebrated stars, recently engaged in a candid conversation with Hollywood actress Gillian Anderson for The Dirty Magazine. Their discussion took intriguing turns as it touched upon various subjects, most prominently the portrayal of intimacy and sexuality on screen.
On March 11, 2025, this thought-provoking dialogue unraveled where both stars shared their perspectives on the growing pressure to depict intimate scenes within the film industry. Kareena, reflecting on her own career, made clear her strong stance against including sexual content for the sake of storytelling.
"Personally, I feel like they (sex scenes) are not important to take a story forward. It’s not something I believe is required. I am not comfortable doing it onscreen," Kareena stated firmly, highlighting her discomfort with how intimacy is often portrayed.
She elaborated on the cultural contrasts between the Indian and Western narratives surrounding sexuality. According to Kareena, the Indian society does not view sexuality as merely part of the human experience, but rather something shrouded with stigma. "We don’t look at sexuality or sex as a human experience. We have to start respecting sex a lot more before showing it on screen," she noted, emphasizing the need for cultural evolution when it pertains to how intimacy is portrayed in cinema.
Kareena, who is celebrating 25 years in the film industry, has witnessed various shifts within cinematography and societal norms. She reflected on how her experiences have shaped her views on cinema and intimacy, particularly through her role as Chameli, where her performance as a sex worker became pivotal to her career. She conveyed, "I think it was kind of like a turning point because it also helped me tap my own confidence, my own sensuality at a young age. I think playing Chameli pushed me to be more fearless. It made me realize I don’t have to conform to traditional notions of beauty or femininity." This role significantly impacted her career and self-perception, allowing her to embrace her femininity and sexuality without the constraints of societal expectations.
Meanwhile, Gillian Anderson, known for her bravery on screen, contributed her insights, acknowledging the challenges actors face throughout the years, particularly with ageism and scrutiny over their physical appearances. She emphasized the improvements for women within the television industry, stating, "There are far more opportunities for women of all ages and sizes to lead TV shows compared to when I started out." Yet, she confessed, there is still much work required for the film industry: "But I also know there is a weird catch-22 because you certainly have actors who have adjusted their physique to continue looking youthful. There is judgment around those choices, yet the industry often doesn’t fully accept those who haven’t had work done."
Gillian’s reflective comments parallel the sentiments expressed by Kareena about the pressures of conformity and the conflicting standards set by society. The dialogue held real value as it grappled with issues not just limited to film, but those affecting societal standards and personal choices concerning beauty and self-acceptance.
Looking at their upcoming projects, Kareena recently starred alongside Bollywood heavyweights like Ajay Devgn and Deepika Padukone in Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again. The film marked another successful outing for her after 25 fruitful years. She is also set to appear in Meghna Gulzar’s untitled film and has teased about leading roles in significant projects within the South Indian film industry.
On the other hand, Gillian Anderson is anticipated to showcase her talent soon, with roles lined up in Tron: Ares and Ben Affleck's Animals, alongside her involvement in the upcoming Netflix Western drama titled The Abandons.
The forthright conversation between Kareena and Gillian serves as both empowering and enlightening, pushing for reform and reassessment around intimacy and sexuality. Their perspectives spark much-needed dialogue about the societal norms reflecting intimacy and representation on the silver screen, echoing the indispensable need for change within the film industry.