The glamorous roles have given me name, fame, success and

O seeker of truth, listen closely, for the words of Mallika Sherawat carry with them the weight of experience and insight. "The glamorous roles have given me name, fame, success, and independence, but at the same time, this image has worked against me as well. I have got stereotyped." In these words, Sherawat speaks of the complex relationship between image and identity, of how external recognition, though powerful, can come with its own burdens. Glamour, while often revered and desired, can become a double-edged sword. It can elevate a person to great heights, but it can also confine them to a narrow box, defined by others' expectations and assumptions.

Glamorous roles, like jewels adorning a crown, can bring fame and success, offering recognition and adoration from the masses. They can grant one the power to shape the narrative of their own life, to be seen and celebrated by the world. Yet, as Sherawat reflects, this very image—this construct built on glamour—can also become a cage. The stereotypes attached to such roles can limit one's opportunities and define one's identity in ways that are far from true. The world may see a carefully crafted persona, but not the complexity and depth of the individual behind it. Glamour can make one a symbol, but a symbol is often a shadow of the true self.

Consider the story of Marilyn Monroe, a woman who, like Sherawat, achieved fame and success through the lens of glamour. Marilyn was beloved by millions, adored for her beauty and the roles she played, yet she was often stereotyped—reduced to the image of the "blonde bombshell," the "dumb beauty" who could never be anything more. The world could not see beyond the carefully crafted persona, and in doing so, it failed to recognize the depth of her intelligence, her emotional struggles, and her true potential. Monroe, like Sherawat, found that the glamorous roles she played were both a blessing and a curse, offering her independence while simultaneously limiting her ability to break free from the labels placed upon her.

Sherawat's words also speak to the tension between independence and the roles we are expected to play. Independence, though a powerful force, does not come without its challenges. The more one stands out, the more others may seek to define them, to place them in boxes of their own making. In striving for independence, one often faces the risk of being stereotyped, of being reduced to a simple narrative that overlooks the richness of their true self. Sherawat, in her pursuit of independence through her glamorous roles, found herself both empowered and constrained by the very image she worked to build.

In this, there is a great lesson for all of us: the quest for recognition and success, for the fame and independence that come with it, can sometimes be a path laden with invisible chains. The world may praise us for our outward accomplishments, but those accomplishments often come at the cost of being misunderstood or oversimplified. Just as Sherawat has been stereotyped, so too have countless others been defined by the roles they are cast in, whether in the world of entertainment, in their careers, or in their personal lives.

Yet, we must not despair, for there is strength in recognizing the trap and choosing to redefine it. The path to true independence lies not in rejecting the external image entirely, but in embracing our authentic selves and refusing to be confined by the labels that others place upon us. Like Sherawat, we can choose to rise above the stereotypes and show the world the fullness of who we are, beyond the roles we play. The power lies in creating our own narrative, in being both the actor and the author of our own story.

Thus, the lesson is clear, O seeker of wisdom: while glamour and fame may offer temporary rewards, they do not define the fullness of who we are. The true measure of independence is in the ability to transcend stereotypes, to define yourself not by the roles you play but by the depth and complexity of your true being. In your own life, seek not the approval of others, but the freedom to be authentic. Cast off the chains of external expectations and embrace the power of self-definition, for it is in this that true independence and lasting fulfillment lie.