Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Yami Gautam on feeling she didn't belong in Bollywood; expert explains
A famous actress named Yami Gautam said that sometimes she felt like she did not belong in Bollywood, the big movie industry in India.
She said people made her feel unwelcome in small, quiet ways, like with a look.
When she was a child, she also worried about how she looked because she felt different from other girls around her.
She said her family, especially her husband Aditya, helps her feel strong and supported.
A psychologist named Gurleen Baruah explained why people sometimes feel left out.
She said people like to be around others who look or think like them, which is natural.
This can create groups that make outsiders feel left behind.
But the psychologist said that being talented, reliable, and kind matters most in the long run.
She also said that people should keep working hard and being themselves.
That way, they can succeed even if they are not part of the popular group.
Yami Gautam said in a 2023 Galatta Plus interview that she often felt unwelcome in Bollywood, saying 'in very subtle ways, they make you feel that you don't belong.'
Gautam grew up in Chandigarh and was born in Bilaspur, and as a child she felt self-conscious about her looks and tried eating everything to gain weight.
She called husband Aditya Dhar her biggest strength and said she feels blessed to have her family's support in the industry.
Organisational psychologist Gurleen Baruah of That Culture Thing said camps and cliques stem from similarity bias and perceived fear of losing influence or belonging.
Baruah advised outsiders to stay consistent, collaborate generously, and let work speak louder than industry camps, noting careers are sustained by talent and professionalism.
- Who
- Bollywood actress Yami Gautam and organisational psychologist Gurleen Baruah
- What
- Yami Gautam discussed feeling unwelcome in Bollywood, and a psychologist explained why such exclusion happens
- When
- The interview with Galatta Plus was in 2023
- Where
- Bollywood film industry in India
- Why
- Subtle insider culture, cliques and similarity bias can make outsiders feel they don't belong
Insider culture and bias is a real barrier
Talent and professionalism overcome barriers
Feeling of not belonging in Bollywood
Insider culture and bias is a real barrier
Yami Gautam says the industry makes outsiders feel unwelcome in subtle ways, and that 'one look' is enough to convey you don't belong.
Talent and professionalism overcome barriers
Psychologist Gurleen Baruah says exclusion is not always deliberate discrimination, and that what sustains careers is trust, reliability and authenticity.
- Actress
- Yami Gautam
- Husband
- Aditya Dhar
- Birthplace
- Bilaspur
- Grew up in
- Chandigarh
- Psychologist
- Gurleen Baruah, That Culture Thing
- Interview outlet
- Galatta Plus (2023)
- Key psychological concept
- Similarity bias