Our Bureau
Mumbai
Veteran actress Meenakshi Seshadri has openly criticised the growing obsession with publicity and glamour in Bollywood, saying she prefers her work to speak for itself. The 62‑year‑old star, known for films such as Hero and Damini, hit out at what she called a “no‑clothes” culture of media hype that many young stars now rely on.
Seshadri said that in today’s film industry, some actors gain attention not by their performances, but by how they dress or undress in front of cameras. She referred to the 2011 film The Dirty Picture, in which the lead character repeats, “There is only one thing going on here, entertainment, entertainment, entertainment!” According to her, some people now find this same entertainment in constant media noise and publicity, even without doing any real work. She remarked that “just by wearing clothes or not, they spread their news,” and added firmly, “I am not one of those people.”
The actress insisted that she has always treated Bollywood as a profession, not a personal brand. She said she likes her performances to be the main focus, rather than red‑carpet photos or fashion statements. Seshadri’s comments come at a time when social media and PR managers play a big role in shaping an actor’s image, often giving more space to outfits and controversies than to their actual film roles.
Fans and critics have welcomed her stand as a reminder of the older, more performance‑driven era of Hindi cinema. By refusing to join what she calls the “no‑clothes” publicity cycle, Meenakshi Seshadri is drawing a clear line between work and image, and telling the industry that she still believes cinema must be about acting, not just attention.
