Mithila Palkar refused to darken her skin by several shades for Super Subbu (Image Credits Instagram and Netflix)
Mithila Palkar, known for the recently released Akshay Kumar starrer ‘Bhooth Bangla’ and Ori Devuda, has opened up about a creative decision she stood by while filming her Netflix Telugu debut, ‘Super Subbu’. The actress revealed that she was initially asked to darken her complexion significantly to portray a young woman from rural Telangana, but she declined the suggestion, explaining that altering her skin tone was against her personal and professional principles.The actor shared that after more than a decade in the industry, both skin-tone alteration—whether lightening or darkening and nudity remain her clear non-negotiables.
Why did Mithila Palkar push back?
According to Subhash K Jha for Deccan Chronicle, the makers of ‘Super Subbu’ had originally wanted to alter Mithila’s complexion significantly to better match her character’s rural Telangana setting. Uncomfortable with the request, Mithila voiced her concerns to the team and even suggested that the filmmakers consider casting an actor who naturally fit the role, rather than artificially darkening her skin to achieve it. According to the actress, skin-tone alteration, whether lightening or darkening and nudity have remained her strict non-negotiables throughout her twelve-year career, a boundary she held onto even for a role she was keen to take on.Despite her reservations, director Mallik Ram remained determined to cast Mithila in the role. The two eventually sat down to discuss her concerns and arrived at a compromise, testing the makeup gradually, starting with a single shade rather than the drastic change initially proposed. In the end, her skin tone was altered only slightly for the part.
More about ‘Super Subbu’
‘Super Subbu’ is Netflix’s first Telugu original series, marking Mithila Palkar’s debut in the language alongside lead actor Sundeep Kishan. The seven-episode comedy-drama, directed by Mallik Ram and written by Ram alongside Shivani Dhobal and Ramesh Eligeti, follows Subramanyam “Subbu” Chilukuri Rao, an unlucky young man who is unexpectedly appointed his village’s sex-education officer, despite having no training or experience for the job. Mithila plays Swathi, an ally who keeps pushing Subbu forward through the chaos, while veteran actor Murli Sharma plays his strict, disapproving father. The series, which also features Telugu comedy stalwart Brahmanandam, premiered on Netflix on July 2, 2026, and is available with dubbed audio in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. Go to Source
