Bigg Boss 18’s Chum Darang Opens Up About Struggles in Bollywood
Chum Darang, who gained fame from Bigg Boss 18, recently spoke about the challenges she has faced as an actor from the Northeast in the Indian film industry. In an interview with BBC India, she shared her experiences with racism, the lack of good roles, and how she once had to accept a stereotypical role just to survive in Mumbai.
Facing Discrimination in Mumbai
Chum moved to Mumbai in 2018 with dreams of making it big. However, she soon faced discrimination. She recalled an incident when a group of boys at a mall mocked her by calling her “momo” and “chow chow.” She said, “I didn’t know how to react. I just gave them a look and left. They assumed that because I look a certain way, they could insult me.”
Things got even worse during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people made racist remarks and blamed her for the virus. She expressed her frustration, saying, “We are also Indians. We might look different, but we belong to this country just as much as anyone else.”
Struggles in Bollywood
Despite her roles in films like Badhaai Do and Gangubai Kathiawadi, Chum believes that Bollywood still does not offer good roles to actors from the Northeast. She said, “Roles for us are not written properly. There are very few opportunities, and getting a lead role is extremely tough.”
Taking Up a Stereotypical Role in Paatal Lok
Chum also talked about her experience working in Paatal Lok, where she played a Chinese infomercial girl. She admitted, “I took up that role because I needed money to survive in Mumbai. It was difficult, but I had no other option at the time. Later, I realized that I am meant for bigger things.”
Hope for Better Representation
While she acknowledged that things are slowly improving, Chum feels that Bollywood still has a long way to go in terms of inclusivity. She hopes that filmmakers will write better and meaningful roles for actors from diverse backgrounds. She concluded by saying, “We are surviving, but we need better representation. The industry needs to go beyond stereotypes and embrace real talent.”
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