Sandiip Sikcand: The stigma of being fat will always stay with me

Sandiip Sikcand

For quite some time now, people have come to terms to openly discuss about their body/ slut shaming experiences, sexual harassment happening across various fields. Actresses in particular have shared their stories in interviews & on their social media platforms. While everyone's talking about it, it still exists but can't undo the mental damage that has already been done.

It was rather unlikely to see it coming from actor, creative honcho of one of television's biggest production houses & now a second time producer with his chat show Juzzbaat , Sandiip Sikcand who shares how being humiliated throughout his childhood still continues to haunt him.

His chat show will reveal the struggles which a television actors and celebrities from different walks of life, have faced on their way to the top. While we've had many shows with bollywood celebrities on the hot seat, this time around it looks like its a mix of stars who will give us an insight into their lives. We caught the producer off guard to share his life story that is eye-opening.

As viewers & fans, people always like to know the other side to their actors when they're not facing the camera. Our show's format is as uncomplicated as it can be. It is an out & out a candid tete-a-tete with actors & prominent faces from different walks of life who will open up about their struggles, their fears, insecurities, the pain & everything else that the audiences are not privy to otherwise. Basically the stories that are very different from what you've read in newspapers & magazines.

Sandiip Sikcand shares, 'I was almost 20 kilos overweight for which I was humiliated throughout my childhood, my schooling days. It was traumatizing, it has driven me to overtly obsess about my weight, years have gone by & I'm comparatively in a fitter space but the stigma of being fat will always stay with me. My well-wishers try to give a pep talk every time I lose my mind for putting on few extra kilos but it has become an inseparable part of my life. In fact the premise of my debut show is loosely based on my story.'

For a powerhouse actor who received critical acclaim & rose to recognition overnight playing a eunuch in Murder 2, it comes as a surprise as to how all the accomplishments not help him overcome body shaming, 'I recently visited a specialist. She thought I'd come for a hair treatment. I corrected I was looking for a stomach loss surgery. I'm okay with being bald but not being fat. I do not miss gym even for a day.'

Sandiip shares few insights, 'Sitcoms frequently use overweight characters' bodies as the basis of many of the show's jokes. Body shaming can lead to a vicious cycle of judgment & criticism. I'm still trying to fight my demons.'

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