Bollywood, the heart of India’s entertainment industry, has long been a mirror reflecting the nation’s culture, traditions, and aspirations. However, despite its grandeur and vast reach, the industry has often been criticized for its lack of diversity, especially in representing people from India’s Northeastern states. One actor who has boldly spoken about this issue is Chum Darang, a model, actress, and social entrepreneur from Arunachal Pradesh.

Darang’s journey in Bollywood has not been without challenges. As a person from the Northeast, she has faced racism, stereotyping, and underrepresentation—issues that many from her region continue to experience in various parts of India. Her voice in the industry serves as an important reminder that true representation in cinema goes beyond tokenism and requires a genuine effort to embrace India’s rich diversity.

Early Life and Career

Born and raised in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh, Chum Darang began her career as a model, participating in beauty pageants before making her mark in acting. She gained national recognition when she represented India at the Miss Asia World 2017 competition, where she won the title of Miss Internet. This exposure helped her transition into the entertainment industry, where she soon realized the deep-seated biases that exist against people from the Northeast.

Despite her achievements, Darang encountered the harsh reality of how individuals from the region are often misrepresented—or entirely absent—in mainstream Bollywood films. Many Northeastern Indians have long struggled with racist remarks, being called “Chinese,” “Nepali,” or “outsiders,” despite their deep-rooted Indian identity. These experiences are not just personal to Darang; they are a reflection of a larger societal issue that extends into popular culture.

Breaking Stereotypes in Bollywood

Chum Darang made her Bollywood debut in the critically acclaimed film Badhaai Do (2022), starring Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar. In the movie, she played a significant role as Meghna, a character who was part of the LGBTQ+ community. Her portrayal was a breakthrough moment for Northeastern representation in Bollywood, as it allowed a mainstream audience to see a Northeastern actress playing a substantial role rather than just being cast as a background character.

However, despite these strides, Bollywood’s casting patterns still remain largely biased. Often, Northeastern characters are either entirely missing from mainstream stories or are reduced to stereotypical roles. They are frequently portrayed as waiters, bar dancers, or exotic background elements rather than given meaningful, three-dimensional roles.

Darang has been vocal about how Bollywood needs to do better. She has stressed the importance of telling stories that represent people from all across India—including the eight Northeastern states, which have a rich history, unique traditions, and diverse cultures that remain largely unexplored in Indian cinema.

Experiencing Racism Firsthand

In several interviews, Darang has spoken about her personal experiences with racism. Like many Northeastern Indians, she has encountered prejudice not just in everyday life but also within the entertainment industry. Casting agents often assume that people from the Northeast do not “look Indian enough” for lead roles, reinforcing a deeply flawed notion of Indian identity that is centered around North Indian features.

She has also shared instances where people treated her as a foreigner, assuming she was from China or Thailand. Such experiences highlight a broader issue of racial ignorance in India, where people from the Northeast often have to repeatedly assert their identity and nationality.

The problem extends beyond Bollywood into Indian media, advertisements, and even politics, where the Northeast is frequently overlooked or treated as an afterthought. This lack of awareness has fueled discrimination, making it harder for people from the region to feel fully integrated into the national mainstream.

Advocating for Better Representation

Darang believes that representation in films and media can play a crucial role in shaping perceptions. She argues that when audiences see diverse characters on screen, it normalizes different cultures and identities, leading to better understanding and acceptance.

She has called for more inclusive casting in Bollywood, where actors from the Northeast can be given roles that are not limited to their ethnicity. Instead of being confined to stereotypes, they should be able to play regular Indian characters—doctors, engineers, teachers, and protagonists in mainstream films.

Darang’s advocacy aligns with a growing movement in Bollywood, where actors and filmmakers from marginalized communities are demanding better representation. With streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime providing new opportunities for diverse storytelling, there is hope that Bollywood will eventually embrace a more inclusive approach.

The Road Ahead

Despite the challenges, Chum Darang remains optimistic about the future. She believes that the conversation around inclusivity is gaining momentum, and that more filmmakers are becoming aware of the need for diverse narratives. With her talent, determination, and willingness to speak up, she continues to be an important voice for change in Bollywood.

Her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring actors from the Northeast and beyond, showing that while barriers exist, they can be challenged and broken. As Bollywood evolves, the industry must recognize that India’s strength lies in its diversity, and true representation can only be achieved when every region and community is given the space to shine.

For now, Chum Darang stands as a beacon of hope, proving that talent has no borders—and neither should opportunities.

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