For years, that’s what Kalki Koechlin was told. But after being in Bollywood for over a decade, the actor-activist hasn’t just evolved as an artist but also experienced the seismic shift in the beauty standards around the globe. We speak to Kalki about warped beauty standards, and what India’s #MeToo moment means for the women in the country.
Kalki Koechlin has been on the cover of Cosmopolitan several times in the past, but this time ’round, there’s something different about her.
This is probably not the first time you’ve heard the term ‘different’ being used in Kalki’s context. When she made her debut in Dev D, many— from sections of media to critics, to Bollywood colleagues and movie watchers—had an opinion about how she looked. Those bee-stung lips received their fair share of love and hate. The term ‘unconventional beauty’ was tossed about frequently, all amidst barely veiled suggestions that she had only been cast because she’s ‘white’.
But what’s ‘different’—and utterly fabulous—about her today, is a delightfully elfin haircut. The actor debuted this pixie ’do on social media recently, which turned into the subject of a huge debate.“Because if you’re a celebrity, everyone’s allowed to have an opinion about you, right?” she laughs. The Internet, as is usually the case, was torn between ‘how good she’s looking!’ and ‘OMG, nooo!’.
But extreme reactions are something Kalki has become immune to.
“My idea was not to shock anyone,” Kalki tells us. “I did it on a whim! I needed a change...I was going on a motorbike trip and thought it would be a practical thing to do. And now I’m doing a film with this haircut...it wasn’t a planned move at all,” she says.
This story is from the November 2018 edition of Cosmopolitan India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2018 edition of Cosmopolitan India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Do Women Make Better Leaders Than Men?
Psychologists, women entrepreneurs, their male counterparts, and a human resources expert weigh in.
Living the dream
From planning their start-up and building the right team to successfully marketing their brand, these entrepreneurs will teach you a thing or two about taking care of a business.
The new masculine
Gender is a construct; but one that invariably factors into attraction. In a 2024 world where the scope of gender is more multifarious than ever, what does it mean to be 'masculine'?
How to make the most of the Meta-Universe...and thrive unscathed in it
Natasha Jog-Head, Public Policy, Instagram, Facebook India (Meta)-lists the company's safety measures, and tells us how to make our favourite apps work in our favour.
I was sober, now I'm not.I feel...weird about it?
After more than a year of being teetotal, Jennifer Savin found herself with a glass of red. Her emotions have been *complex*
VEDANG RAINA WIRED TO WIN
Actor Vedang Raina opens up to Cosmo India Editor Pratishtha Dobhal about his love for music and cinema, his passion for the arts, and why he chooses to live in the moment.
What's dating like in 2024?
Here's some swipe right moments that caught Cosmo intern Serchen Chokyi off guard.
Pixels to pearls
Is 3D printing the next big thing in the jewellery landscape?
One jacket, four ways
Cosmo India challenged top-tier celebrity stylists to turn muse for us as they showcased their unmatched personal style with one common designer ensemble. Class in session, people!
ATTN: the couturier now bets on beauty
With this Estée Lauder collaboration, Sabyasachi's tiger motif finds a place on gilded lipstick cases...reiterating that the designer is unstoppable.