“Just Because I’m an Actress!” – Pooja Katurde Slams Mumbai Flat Owners for Denying Her Rental Homes
"Just Because I’m an Actress!" – Pooja Katurde Slams Mumbai Flat Owners for Denying Her Rental Homes
Mumbai – A city hailed as the land of dreams is showing its darker side to those who dare to live life on their own terms. Marathi television actress Pooja Katurde, known for roles in shows like Hridayi Preet Jagate and Vithu Mauli, has spoken out about a troubling experience: repeated rejection from landlords in Mumbai simply because she is a single woman and an actress.
In a candid Instagram post, Katurde revealed how her attempts to rent an apartment were stonewalled by stereotypes and outdated social judgments. Despite being financially stable and professionally established, she said that landlords and housing societies routinely turned her down—not for any legitimate reason, but for her profession and marital status.
“Everything would be fine until they found out I’m an actress. Then suddenly, the flat was ‘no longer available,’” she shared.
The rejections kept coming. In one instance, even after a verbal agreement, the builder rescinded the offer when he learned she was unmarried and in the entertainment industry. In another, the housing committee raised concerns, saying “Being an actor is a problem.”
Katurde questioned the logic behind such attitudes:
“Are actresses considered a threat? Why is a single woman living independently such a problem?”
“You cheer for us on TV, but shut your doors in real life. Why this hypocrisy?”
She called out the double standards in housing societies that are often fine with couples embroiled in personal disputes, but are quick to judge single women—especially those in creative fields—as irresponsible or characterless.
“I’m not asking for charity,” she wrote. “I just want a roof over my head without being judged. Yes, I’m single. Yes, I’m an actress. That doesn’t make me undeserving.”
Katurde’s post struck a chord online, drawing attention to the prejudice faced by independent women in Indian metro cities. Many on social media praised her bravery in speaking up, with others—especially from the entertainment industry—sharing similar experiences.
This isn’t an isolated case. Actress Yamini Malhotra, a former Bigg Boss contestant, had earlier shared a nearly identical experience—being denied housing in Mumbai for being a single actress.
Katurde’s story exposes a systemic bias in urban housing: one that judges women not on their behavior or reliability, but on deep-rooted stereotypes around gender, profession, and morality. As more voices join the conversation, the hope is that society—and the housing system—can evolve to match the very ideals Mumbai is known for: ambition, opportunity, and freedom.
