“You’re Not Beautiful”: This Lust Stories 2 star recalls being rejected for her skin colour

In a world where talent should triumph over appearances, the bitter reality still leaves deep scars. Actor Amruta Subhash, known for her stellar performances in Lust Stories 2 and Sacred Games, recently opened up about a childhood rejection that shattered her confidence, simply because of her skin tone.

For many, rejections are part of the process. But for Amruta, the sting of being told she wasn’t "beautiful" enough by a dance teacher in school haunted her for years. In an emotional conversation with Zoom, she recalled how a casual yet cruel remark about her complexion became a lifelong insecurity.

“Make Me Beautiful, Ma…”: A Child’s Silent Cry

“I always loved dancing,” Amruta shared. “During high school, our dance teacher said, ‘All the beautiful girls should come tomorrow for auditions.’ I rushed home and asked my mom to make me beautiful.”

But the moment she showed up, her dreams were crushed.

“The teacher looked at me and said, ‘You don’t have light skin and light eyes. We can’t take you in the dance group.’ That sentence... it stayed with me.”

From Doubt to Determination

Amruta admitted that the same insecurity carried into her early acting career. Repeated rejections in auditions made her question her worth and believe that "only fair women become actors."

“I began to believe that teacher. I started thinking I wasn’t beautiful enough to be in films,” she said. It took years of self-reflection and resilience to overcome that ingrained doubt.

Today, Amruta stands tall as one of the most powerful performers in Indian cinema. From Bombay Begums to Saas Bahu Achaar Pvt Ltd, she’s proven time and again that talent knows no shade.

Next on the Horizon: ‘Chidiya’

The actor is all set to star in Mehran Amrohi’s upcoming film Chidiya, alongside Vinay Pathak, Svar Kamble, Ayush Pathak, Inaamulhaq, Brijendra Kala, and Muzaffar Khan. The film is slated to release on May 30, 2025, and is already creating buzz for its heartwarming storyline.

Time to Redefine Beauty

Amruta’s journey is more than just a personal triumph. Her courage to speak out reflects a broader truth: beauty isn’t about fairness, it’s about fearlessness. And in an industry slowly waking up to inclusivity, voices like hers light the way for a more accepting and equal tomorrow.