Actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani recently reflected on his long battle with body image issues and the emotional scars left by years of bullying. Before he turned a producer full time, Jackky began his career as an actor and appeared in films like ‘F.A.L.T.U’, ‘Youngistan’ among others. In a recent interview, Jackky opened up on being overweight while growing up and admitted to be dealing with constant ridicule. He appeared with his wife, actor Rakul Preet Singh, on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s chat show ‘Double Date’ and recalled this painful childhood memory. Jackky shared that he weighed nearly 150 kilos at one point and was often subjected to insensitive comments. One particular incident, he said, has stayed with him over the years. “I still remember there was a film made on Akshay Sir, ‘Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi’, that time, there was a chatter amongst producers that they are calling WWF wrestler Yokozuna, how he is being brought to India for Bollywood. It was a huge buzz then.”He went on to reveal how, during one such discussion, a family acquaintance made a hurtful remark about him. “Why do you need to call Yokozuna from outside? You already have one at home.” The comment was directed at Jackky, who was a teenager at the time. Looking back, he admitted that such remarks left a lasting impact. “As a child, you laugh it off in front of people, but those things stay with you.”Speaking about the broader issue of body shaming, Jackky said many people fail to realise how deeply such comments can affect someone’s self-esteem. “When you are growing you are also part of all jokes. If you are overweight or dark-skinned in this country, people don’t think twice before bullying you. For example if someone is laughing there you feel, kahin ye mujhpe toh nahi hans raha, but in reality that person is not even aware of me.”Jackky also recalled a defining moment when he first told his father, producer Vashu Bhagnani, about his desire to become an actor. At the time, his father’s response was difficult to hear but ultimately became a source of motivation.“I told my father one day that I wanted to become an actor. He looked at me honestly and said, ‘I cannot launch you in this state.’”While the remark initially hurt him, Jackky said he now understands the intention behind it. “At that moment it hurt, but today I understand that he was trying to push me towards becoming healthier and more disciplined.”
