Accepting ‘fat jibes’ to self love: Geetha Bharati recounts journey

Geetha Bharathi Bhat’s journey from plus size to good health has been arduous. “I’m far from being totally fit. Yet, I’m proud to say that now, I’ve learnt to love myself, and feel beautiful - a huge change considering how much I hated myself earlier,” says Geetha. Excerpts from her chat with us:
‘Fat shamed in family, bullied at school’
Relatives would throw the classic line – ‘don’t eat so much, you’ll put on more weight’ or that ‘you won’t find a groom’.They’d even make fun of the way I dressed. My mother was gentler, saying, ‘if you don’t skip today, you won’t get your favourite akki rotti.’ All this got strongly imprinted on my psyche; I began hating myself, thinking I deserved what everyone said. I am fat, so whatever they say must be true.
‘Getting into acting turned my world around’
My world changed when I started acting in the serial, Brahmagantu. Acting is about glamour, perfect bodies, not a field which accepts people like me. Yet, I was besieged by fan mails. That day, I realised that I had the power to be whoever I wanted to be. It changed my perception as strangers showered so much love, and I began loving myself.

‘An effort to tell all to be more size inclusive’
If Brahmagantu was my first step in showcasing the struggles of the plus-sized, Ravike Prasanga is my second, to remind the world to be more size inclusive, and accept people no matter the size, shape or colour. Cinema can make a huge impact, and we must narrate such stories.
‘stabler and happier in life’
My struggles were aimed at fitness. Obesity causes health issues, and I’ve been working towards reversing that. Social media played a huge role in changing perceptions. I’m happy my on-screen roles and individual journey inspire others to be accepting of people as they are.