Anjali Anand's Casting As The Female Lead In 'Dhamaal 4' Feels Like A Long-Overdue Bollywood Shift

Every few months, social media finds a moment that feels bigger than the film it's promoting. This time, it's Anjali Anand dancing opposite Riteish Deshmukh in Dhamaal 4's latest track, Saree. But this time, the conversation isn't about choreography, but more about representation.

Anjali Anand's casting as Dhamaal 4's female lead earns praise

On Saturday, June 27, 2026, Anjali Anand accompanied Riteish Deshmukh for the song launch of Saree by Sanju Rathod at a Thane Mall in Mumbai. Dressed in a stunning pink saree, the actress joined 800 women clad in matching pink drapes as they danced to the song, creating a vibrant visual spectacle during the grand launch event.

Video clips from the event went viral on social media, with women celebrating Anjali Anand as a refreshing leading face, calling her "real," "relatable," and proof that Bollywood may finally be moving beyond one rigid definition of beauty.

Bollywood's beauty standards have been long overdue for a change

For decades, Hindi cinema has followed a predictable formula. While male stars have been allowed to age, gain weight and embrace unconventional looks without affecting their careers, actresses have largely been expected to fit a narrow beauty standard. As a result, many talented curvier performers have been confined to supporting roles, comic relief or the heroine's best friend. Even when they were cast in leading roles, their stories often revolved around body shaming, weight loss, or overcoming stereotypes, rather than simply allowing them to be mainstream romantic leads.

That's why seeing Anjali Anand dancing opposite Riteish Deshmukh in a glamorous Bollywood song feels different. The film isn't treating her body as a statement. It isn't making jokes about her appearance. She's simply the heroine, exactly as she should be. Sometimes, simply normalising what's natural is far more powerful than announcing it separately.

Social media says what Bollywood needed to hear: 'Good times rolling in?'

Anjali Anand's casting has already received an overwhelmingly positive response. Women have flooded comment sections saying Bollywood has "finally cast a real-looking woman" and that it feels like a fresh change that was long overdue in the industry. One user aptly put it, "This is the Indian beauty standard." Another wrote, "This makes me so happy, a talented actress, that too plus size, now owns the stage. Good times rolling innnnn?"

Many have even said Anjali's presence makes the song feel more authentic because she represents women they actually see around them every day. Perhaps the biggest compliment is that audiences are discussing her confidence, expressions and chemistry before mentioning her size. And that's what we call genuine progress!

Anjali Anand has never apologised for being herself

What makes this moment even more meaningful is that Anjali has consistently refused to let body-shaming define her career. A few months ago, when an internet troll dismissed the "curvy" label to describe her and simply called her "fat", the actress's response showed her presence of mind and confidence with her signature humour. Commenting on the user's balding head, the actress wrote:

"I know I am fat. Same way you know you are bald."

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She later shared the exchange online with the caption, "They also call me UNF**KWITHABLE." Now, that same self-assurance is visible in Saree. She isn't trying to fit into someone else's mould. She owns the screen exactly as she is.

In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, Anjali revealed that she began preparing as soon as she learned she had two songs in Dhamaal 4: Chutney and Saree. The actress said the songs have the exact 'chatakedaar' vibe that she has grown up enjoying. She said:

"I think I was born dancing to such songs. I’m an absolute film buff and dancing is everything to me. I didn’t have to step out of my comfort zone, but once I saw the video, I was shocked looking at myself dancing like that. It was just so much fun."

Such was her dedication that she attended multiple dance workshops every week because she wanted audiences to enjoy watching her perform and feel like dancing along with her. 

Well, the preparation definitely shows. Her performance in the songs feels energetic, effortless, and full of personality. Her chemistry with Riteish Deshmukh also feels natural, playful and easy, proving that leading-pair chemistry has far more to do with charisma than body size.

Is Bollywood finally up for a change?

If we were to answer this question, no single film song can transform an industry overnight. That's also one of the reasons why moments like Saree matter because they quietly challenge long-held assumptions about who gets to be the heroine in a commercial Bollywood film. 

Some critics often argue that body positivity is about changing beauty standards. That misses the point entirely. Representation isn't about lowering standards; it's about widening them.

Pics: Anjali Anand/Instagram

Women are not always the picture-perfect, golden ratio bodies we see on the big screen; they come in shapes, sizes, and appearances. However, Bollywood has spent years pretending otherwise. But casting more actresses like Anjali Anand, who definitely deserve more attention, is surely a start. After all, progress doesn't come through mere speeches and campaigns.

Sometimes, change arrives wrapped in a pink saree, dancing centre stage like it always belonged there!

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