Ranbir Kapoor’s co-star Poorna Jagannathan reveals industry people ‘underestimated’ her after “YJHD”
- She felt underestimated and limited after her Bollywood debut in “Delhi Belly” in 2011.
- Ageism and language barriers were significant challenges for her in the industry.
- Despite her desire to work more, she received few offers and faced language barriers.
Poorna Jagannathan, best known for her roles in “The Night Of” and “Never Have I Ever”, recently shared her struggles in the Bollywood industry, particularly her experience in “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” (2013). After making her Bollywood debut in the 2011 film “Delhi Belly”, she felt underestimated and limited. Reflecting on her opportunities in India, she stated, “There was just no role for me.”
In a recent interview with PTI, Poorna revealed that despite Delhi Belly’s success, she struggled to secure more roles in the Hindi film industry. She admitted feeling underestimated after working in “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani”, saying, “There was just no role for me.” The actress explained that ageism deeply affected the industry at the time, making it difficult for her to land significant roles.
When Poorna entered Bollywood at 40 with a child, filmmakers struggled to cast her in suitable roles. She explained that unlike today, when actresses like Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone are redefining what it means to be a woman in her forties, such opportunities were scarce during her time. Despite her desire to work more, she received few offers. Additionally, she faced a language barrier, as her Hindi was not fluent.
Poorna reflected on the industry’s transformation over time, noting that the rise of streaming platforms has led to more diverse stories and roles. She observed that actresses of all ages now have greater opportunities to be heard. “The streaming culture has impacted who gets to tell stories now,” she said, emphasizing how the industry has evolved to offer more roles for women in their forties—unlike during her time in Bollywood.
While Bollywood offered Poorna limited opportunities, she thrived in Hollywood. She received critical acclaim for her role in “The Night Of” and later appeared in several hit shows, including “The Blacklist”, “Better Call Saul”, “Ramy”, and “Never Have I Ever”.
Poorna is currently working on “Deli Boys”, a dark comedy series about two brothers who inherit their father’s illegal empire. She noted that the show’s comedic tone resembles “Delhi Belly” and aligns with her comedic style.
