A look at the repertoire of several female actors in Bollywood will make it seem that an industry once obsessed with fair-skinned women has taken strides to amend its ways. But, actor Sanvikaa, set to return with the third season of the comedy series, Panchayat, tells us the change is coming about at a pace that’s slower than we’d appreciate. “The roles I get are similar to the ones I have played. Perhaps, that’s due to my dusky complexion. In the industry, if you are dusky, you are offered characters who belong to the middle-class or lower-middle-class background. This stereotyping existed earlier, and continued to exist even after the release of Panchayat,” says the actor, who plays Rinki, the daughter of the village pradhan in the Prime Video series. She, however, adds that she is no longer perturbed by the practise. “I think I look beautiful the way I am. The audience connects with me. Their love has made me comfortable in my skin.” 

Sanvikaa plays Neena Gupta’s daughter in the long-running series