You clicked for a name. Here’s the straight truth: there isn’t one single actress known as the chubby Hindi heroine. The phrase is vague and honestly a bit dated. But in real searches, people usually mean a handful of beloved stars who’ve proudly embraced curves, played plus-size roles, or pushed back on the size‑zero standard. I’ll give you the likely names first, then help you match the exact person or film you’re thinking of-fast, respectfully, and with context that won’t age badly.

• TL;DR
• Most people mean Vidya Balan or Huma Qureshi; sometimes Sonakshi Sinha or Bhumi Pednekar (Dum Laga Ke Haisha).
• If you’re picturing a film about a plus‑size woman, it could be The Dirty Picture, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Tumhari Sulu, or Double XL.
• Use words like “curvy” or “plus‑size” instead of “chubby” when you can; it’s kinder and clearer.
• Quick ID guide below helps you match the actress by film, era, or co‑star in under a minute.

The short answer: who people usually mean

When someone asks “Who is the chubby Hindi heroine?”, they’re usually trying to remember a specific actor who doesn’t fit the size‑zero mold-or they’re Googling a role where weight was central to the story. These are the names that come up most often in 2025 searches and fan chatter:

• Vidya Balan: Known for celebrating her curves. The Dirty Picture (2011) won her the National Film Award for Best Actress and was a major box-office success. Tumhari Sulu (2017) also put a relatable, confident woman at the center-no shrink-to-fit narrative.
• Huma Qureshi: Broke out with Gangs of Wasseypur (2012). She’s been vocal in interviews about body image and led Double XL (2022), a film that puts two plus‑size women front and center.
• Sonakshi Sinha: Debuted with Dabangg (2010), faced early body-shaming from tabloids, and later starred in Double XL. She’s often mentioned in lists that challenge the “thin is everything” line.
• Bhumi Pednekar: In Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015), she intentionally gained weight to play Sandhya-a smart, warm woman in a marriage where size becomes a talking point. The film was a sleeper hit and is still a fan favorite for heart, not hemlines.
• Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Not plus-size, but heavily trolled after pregnancy around 2012. Media coverage then tells you a lot about how we talk about women’s bodies, even when it’s none of our business.

If you came to find one name to put to a face, start with Vidya Balan or Huma Qureshi. If your memory is tied to a story about weight in the plot, start with Bhumi (Dum Laga Ke Haisha) or Huma + Sonakshi (Double XL).

Quick ID guide: match the actress you have in mind

Don’t remember the name, only bits and pieces? Use this fast matcher. I use it myself when friends text me, “Who was that curvy actress in that 2010s film?”-usually while I’m packing Briony’s lunch boxes here in Melbourne.

1. If the film was about a radio jockey or a warm, chatty woman rediscovering herself, and the tone felt cozy and Mumbai-midlife: That’s likely Vidya Balan in Tumhari Sulu (2017).
2. If it was a bold, retro biopic with big hair, bigger attitude, and you remember winning awards and hit songs: Think Vidya Balan in The Dirty Picture (2011).
3. If you remember a small town, arranged marriage vibes, and a husband struggling with his wife’s size (but the film is sweet and funny): That’s Bhumi Pednekar in Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015).
4. If it was a two‑heroine film about body shaming and fashion, set in modern Delhi/London-ish frames: Huma Qureshi and Sonakshi Sinha in Double XL (2022).
5. If your memory says “gangster epic, gritty, two-part saga”: Huma Qureshi in Gangs of Wasseypur (2012).
6. If you recall Salman Khan in uniform and a big blockbuster debut for the actress: Sonakshi Sinha in Dabangg (2010).

Still stuck? Try this:

• What year did you watch it? If it was early 2010s, start with Vidya or Sonakshi. Mid‑2010s usually points to Bhumi’s YRF phase. Early 2020s points to Double XL.
• Who was the male lead? Salman Khan (Sonakshi), Emraan Hashmi/Naseeruddin Shah (Vidya in The Dirty Picture), Ayushmann Khurrana (Bhumi in Dum Laga Ke Haisha), ensemble/no single male lead (Double XL).
• Where is it streaming? Many of these cycle across major Indian platforms. Search by plot terms-“plus‑size,” “radio jockey,” “arranged marriage cassette shop 1990s”-rather than body terms.

If what you actually wanted was “Which curvy actresses are active and trending now (2025)?”, the names you’ll see most often: Vidya Balan (recent OTT hits), Huma Qureshi (series + films), Sonakshi Sinha (streaming crossovers), Bhumi Pednekar (social dramas and comedies), and Zareen Khan occasionally in conversations about body image because of trolling history and clapbacks.

Bollywood and body diversity: what changed and when

Hindi cinema has never had one body standard. The ideal just moved around-and the camera treated bodies differently over time.

1950s-1970s: Icons like Madhubala, Meena Kumari, and Hema Malini weren’t size‑zero; the lens loved softness, silhouettes, and drape. There wasn’t a “plus‑size” category; women were women, costumes were forgiving, and the male gaze was more coy than gym-centric.

1990s-early 2000s: The MTV era brought tighter fits, imported beauty standards, and a growing pressure to be lean. Item numbers and magazine covers shouted diet culture, and early tabloids weren’t kind about weight fluctuations.

Late 2000s-2010s: The “size zero” buzz hit peak saturation. Kareena Kapoor’s Tashan-era transformation became a culture moment. At the same time, counter-waves started: Vidya Balan’s success with unapologetic wardrobe choices, Sonakshi Sinha’s very public pushback against body policing, and Bhumi Pednekar’s choice to gain weight for a romantic lead in Dum Laga Ke Haisha.

2020s: Streaming loosened many rules. Character-driven films and series made space for varied bodies without making size the whole plot. You see leads in everyday shapes-office wear, sarees, jeans-doing their jobs, falling in love, saving the day. Not perfect, but better.

Why this matters: When we turn “chubby” into a label, we flatten a person into a measurement. When we use names, roles, and craft, we give credit where it’s due. That’s the shift we’re living through. Even tabloids that once mocked now run “body positivity” features. Progress can be messy; it’s still progress.

What to watch: films that center or celebrate non-size‑zero bodies

Here’s a handy watchlist. It’s not a ranking-just a practical map if you want performances and stories that treat women as full humans, not waistlines.

If you want just one film tonight and love character-first stories, go with Dum Laga Ke Haisha or Tumhari Sulu. If you want a louder, glossier ride, The Dirty Picture still crackles.

Say it better + quick FAQ

I get the instinct to search “chubby”-it’s short and it’s how people talk. But tiny swaps in language change the vibe from labeling to describing. Here’s a simple set of moves I teach my teen, and we use at home when we talk about celebs.

Language swaps that help:

• Try “curvy” or “plus‑size” instead of “chubby” when you’re not sure of the person’s comfort with the word.
• Describe the role, not the body: “She played a small-town newlywed,” “She led a biopic,” “She’s the one from the RJ film.”
• Make the craft the headline: acting, writing, awards, box office, cultural impact.
• If you’re correcting someone, be kind: “I think you mean Vidya Balan-she’s known for embracing her curves.”

Quick checklist for respectful searches:

• Goal: clarity, not clicks. Use the film name or plot detail.
• Add the year or co‑star if you remember it.
• Avoid adjectives about bodies when they’re not needed.
• If you must, pair them with context: “curvy lead in Dum Laga Ke Haisha.”

Mini‑FAQ

Q: Is “chubby” offensive?
A: It depends on who’s saying it and how. In public writing or search, “curvy” or “plus‑size” is safer and more respectful. When in doubt, use the name and role.

Q: Who’s the most famous curvy Bollywood actress right now (2025)?
A: Vidya Balan and Huma Qureshi lead the conversation. Bhumi Pednekar and Sonakshi Sinha are key too-especially if your memory ties to Dum Laga Ke Haisha or Double XL.

Q: Which movie actually talks about weight and self‑worth?
A: Dum Laga Ke Haisha (gentle, funny), Double XL (direct and modern), and parts of Fanney Khan (bullying and dream-chasing).

Q: Who gained weight for a role?
A: Bhumi Pednekar did for Dum Laga Ke Haisha. It was a creative choice to serve the character, and it paid off with a career‑making performance.

Q: I remember a glamorous film and a big award connected to a curvier actress. Which one?
A: The Dirty Picture with Vidya Balan. She won the National Film Award for Best Actress.

Q: Any newer names to watch?
A: Keep an eye on streaming debuts-OTT has been kinder to varied body types. Casting directors are placing talent first in a way that feels healthier than a decade ago.

Next steps if you still can’t place the name:

• Start with “plot + year/decade + city vibe” in your search bar: “1990s small-town arranged marriage cassette shop Hindi film.”
• Add a co-star: “with Ayushmann Khurrana” will surface Dum Laga Ke Haisha in seconds.
• Search the soundtrack if you remember a song-these films had sticky music and playlists.
• Browse “filmography” pages for the four names above and scan posters; the visual jog works better than guessing adjectives.

One last thought from a mum who talks media with her kid daily: a body is not a plot twist. When we switch from “Who’s the chubby heroine?” to “Who gave that knockout performance?” we not only find the name faster-we raise the bar on the conversation. And honestly, that’s where great cinema lives.