‘Don’t Oversexualize Me’: Nora Fatehi Reveals Dilbar Blouse Was ‘Too Tiny,’ Says She Was Unpaid for Iconic Song Performance
Mumbai: Dancer and actress Nora Fatehi rose to fame with her electrifying performance in the chartbuster Dilbar from John Abraham’s 2018 film Satyameva Jayate. Known for its iconic hook steps, the song became a massive hit and cemented Nora’s place in the spotlight. Yet, behind the scenes, Nora faced challenges few knew about: she wasn’t paid a single rupee for her performance in Dilbar.
Speaking with Rajeev Masand at the 2024 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, Nora revealed a pivotal moment during the shoot. The blouse provided for her costume was “too tiny,” leading her to consider refusing the song.
“When they brought me the blouse, it was just too tiny. I had to stand my ground,” Nora said. “I told them, ‘I get it, it’s a sexy song, and we are all inherently sexy, but there’s no need to be vulgar.’” Eventually, a more “comfortable” blouse was made for her on the morning of the shoot, one she felt allowed her to perform without compromise.
Nora also revealed that the “item song” could have been portrayed in different ways, as “hot and sexy” or as a “dance-oriented visual” that would let her showcase her craft and personality.
Interestingly, Dilbar wasn’t the only unpaid performer in her career. Nora recalled that she wasn’t compensated for her role in Kamariya from Stree either. At the time, she had been planning to leave India for good, but accepted the role, realizing that this was her chance to make a name for herself.
“When I met the creators of these songs—which I did for free, by the way—I knew this wasn’t the time for me to make money. It was time to prove myself, to build a reputation, and to work with people who could help shape my career,” she shared.
Nora’s journey stands as a testament to resilience and passion, a path marked by sacrifices in pursuit of a dream and the strength to turn challenges into opportunities.
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