Author Shuchi Singh Kalra’s second novel ‘I Am Big. So What?’ was launched by versatile and popular actress Delnaaz Irani at Title Waves Bookstore in Bandra on Saturday evening.
Kalra’s book highlights the trials and tribulations of a plus sized girl, Roli, who has to face several humiliations just because of her body size. It focuses on perceptions that society holds for such and how their fate is all about judgments and criticism.
“Although, ‘I am big. So what?’ is a romantic comedy, there is something more than that to it. Because it is for the first time that a plus sized girl is playing protagonist in Indian fiction. It is a huge trend in the West, there are plenty of novels that have plus sized heroines. But I don`t think that has yet entered India, either in fiction or Bollywood or any other mainstream entertainment. That is a big void I propose to fill with this book. Our society tends to define beauty in confined terms. This story is about a girl, who is over weight since childhood and how she gains confidence, loses and again gains it throughout her teenage years till she turns into an adult. It is a story of self-discovery, inner journey as well as outer journey and how she proves to the world that her weight is just a number,” said Shuchi Singh Kalra while introducing her book.
The book launch was followed by a discussion on Body Shaming, moderated by Suyash Karangutkar of Spectralhues.
Delnaaz Irani, who radiates confidence through her poised persona, was unabashedly seen stating her views on the topic of body shamming. She said, “Make your weaknesses your strength, and then nobody can stop you from achieving your goals.”
From Left: Suyash Karangutkar, actress Delnaaz Irani and author Shuchi Singh Kalra.
The discussion also focused on how body shaming has been made a feminist issue, where as even men come across instances where in they are insulted or called names at because of their figure and height.
Speaking about being accepted by the society, Irani, who stood as an epitome of motivation, boldly said, “If a person doesn`t like someone it is okay. People who really matter will automatically love you and care for you. And that is more important. If you believe you have any weaknesses, make them your strengths. That would be a bigger slap on the person`s face who is taking digs at you.”
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