Actress Zareen Khan, who has often been criticised for her `weighty issues`, is happy to see that actresses are now piling on pounds to give superhit performances. The 27-year-old actress, who made her Bollywood debut in 2010 period film `Veer` opposite actor Salman Khan said that she had put on weight for the film but people failed to understand that.

"I was a newcomer and I was asked to put on weight for `Veer` since I was playing a princess from the era gone by. I received a lot of criticism from those who were supposed to understand such intricacies of cinema. Things have changed today. Heroines are piling on weight and delivering superhits.

It is superb," Zareen said referring to Vidya Balan`s performance in `The Dirty Picture`. The actress, whose second film `Housefull 2` has hit the theatres, said she was hurt by the criticisms and so got herself into a much fitter and better shape.

"Criticism did hurt but I did take that all in my stride. I understood that to be a leading lady in Bollywood, I have to get into a better shape and in `Housefull 2` people will see the new me. I am happy to be playing this super-hot glamorous girl. I am looking forward to audience reaction," she said.

In between "Veer" and "Housefull 2" the actress was seen shaking her leg with Salman Khan in the song `Character Dheela` from "Ready". Zareen also said that she considers the Sajid Khan directed film as her second chance. "I am not from a Bollywood background and come from a non-filmy family. I am still trying to learn the tricks of the trade in Bollywood. This is my second chance and I am happy to be associated with a brand like this. There has been positive feedback and people seem to love what they are seeing," she said.