Actress Diana Penty has opened up about the harassment and body-shaming she endured during her college years in Mumbai, shedding light on the everyday struggles faced by young women in public spaces. In a candid interview with Hauterrfly, the Cocktail star revealed how commuting by local train to St. Xavier’s College exposed her to catcalling, elbowing, and inappropriate behavior, leaving her feeling scared and withdrawn.
“I think every girl in Bombay has gone through this… There’s catcalling, and people try to elbow you. It became a part of daily life. I was a very shy, underconfident, conscious and awkward girl. I would go into a shell. It would scare me,” Diana shared.
🚉 A Glimpse Into the Harsh Realities of Public Commute
Diana described her daily route—from Byculla to VT on the Central Line—as emotionally taxing. She admitted lacking the confidence to retaliate or speak up, a sentiment echoed by many women navigating India’s crowded public transport systems.
🧍♀️ Body-Shaming and Self-Image Struggles
The actress also opened up about being body-shamed for being too skinny, revealing that the criticism began in childhood and continued well into adulthood.
“It scarred me… Some aunties would go up to my mother and say, ‘Oh, she’s so skinny, doesn’t she eat?’” she recalled, adding that she avoided sleeveless clothes and layered up to hide her frame.
🎬 Diana’s Journey and Upcoming Projects
Despite early struggles, Diana has carved a niche in Bollywood with films like Cocktail, Happy Bhag Jayegi, and Shiddat. She currently stars in Detective Sherdil alongside Diljit Dosanjh and will next appear in Section 84 with Amitabh Bachchan and Nimrat Kaur.
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