I am concerned that in a country where blacks are a huge majority the Miss Bollywood IPL contest has found it impossible to unearth a single black woman as a candidate. All the candidates thus far are Indians (a minority) and whites (another minority). What is the IPL telling black people and black women in South Africa and everywhere else? That they are not beautiful? That they are not worthy if being in Bollywood? That they are not worthy of being in movies? That whites are acceptable in Bollywood and India but blacks are not? Surely Mr. Modi does not approve of this but of 39 candidates thus far not a single being a black woman tells me something. It’s not like the IPL is being hosted in Austria.
And not a squeak from the rabid Indian media about this as yet so it would appear as though they are in complete approval of this.
That they are not beautiful? That they are not worthy if being in Bollywood? That they are not worthy of being in movies?
With all due respect Imran, every country has its own definition of ideal beauty. In India too there is an existing ideal; and people like Aishwarya, Deepika Padukone, Rani etc typify that ideal.
And it is not always to do with fairness of skin color. For example, lighter-skinned actresses from Pakistan like Salma Agha and Zeba Bhaktiyar, in the 80s and 90s respy, tried to break into Bollywood but could not because they did not fit the “Indian ideal”.
Also, intrestingly people like Priety also often do not get certain roles, because the look “too westren”.
Bollywood caters to a hugely diverse nation like India and people like Aish, and DP cut across regional lines in popularity.
So its not about black or white; its about the “ideal” brown with the “ideal” Indian features.
Also, its not that white women are successful in Bollywood either. Most of them do two-bit roles and its very few film makers who cast them in lead roles. In the past only Rang De Basanti, Kisna and Lagaan come to mind and the scripts were quite specific; a brown woman could not have played that role.
Sorry this is a sticky subject. But the assumption is that since matrimonial ads in India often talk of “lighter” skin, white must be considered beautiful. The truth is, its not. When people talk of lighter skin, they mean lighter brown. Not white.
Again apologies if I sound insensitive.
I agree that dark skin is also often not considered beautiful. However, there are dark-skinned actresses in India whose “ideal” Indian features have helped them be successful in Bollywood. For example, Bipasha Basu.
I agree white women at least find a few roles and roles for black women are basically not there in Bollywood and that must change. And I also agree that the media should perhaps raise this issue.
However, who is selecting these girls? Modi? SRK’s production house?
If its the latter, perhaps they already know the kind of look they are after?
So you’re saying that SRK/IPL/Modi/Bollywood should not/do not care that they are in South Africa a country with a huge black majority? That they should ignore all these beautiful black women and seek out Indian and white women only? What is that telling the black women of South Africa I ask again? Then they should name it the IPL/Bollywood White & Indian Women Search and stop the false advertising. Or should we already know what kind of woman they are looking for since ‘Bollywood’ is in the name.
And another thing Bipasha Basu is dark skinned? I must be blind!
Imran,
I did not say that. Surely black women must also be selected. And I did say I agree with you that the media must make an issue of this. Perhaps an honest assessment is what is required.
What I am simply saying is that if its a hunt for a “Bollywood” beauty, then they are searching for an Bollywood ideal. They are making a movie in which they invest crores and they would want to cast an actress that suits the role. And lets be honest, most Indian films have women playing arm candy only!
Actually this whole idea of a Ms. Bollywood in the IPL, sounds stupid to me.. but oh well.
Yes, unfortunately people like Bipasha have also been considered dark-skinned, as she herself has often mentioned in interviews.
Yes, unfortunately people like Bipasha have also been considered dark-skinned, as she herself has often mentioned in interviews.
Sorry, hit enter before completing that thought…
Yes, unfortunately people like Bipasha had to struggle a bit because she also has been considered “dark-skinned”, as she herself has often mentioned in interviews.</
1. If Bipasha is dark skinned then I am blind.
2. Whether they are looking for an Indian or white woman is not the point. The point is they are in South Africa which has a huge black majority. Even if they do not intend picking a black woman, after 39 picks surely they must include some black women. Not having ANY black woman as yet is beyond madness.
1. If Bipasha is dark skinned then I am blind.
Again, Imran its a matter of perception.
I am a brown woman and in certain company I’ve been complimented for being “fair” while in certain cases I’ve been told I am “dark”!
Especially for us subcontinental women this is a sensitive issue..
2. Not having ANY black woman as yet is beyond madness.
I agree. And it is insensitive too.
That is why I feel this whole Ms. IPL Bollywood thing is silly.
If they want a specific look, they should have a casting call and cast for the role.
Now randomly picking brown and white women is
and ignoring black women in nation with huge black majority is madness like you said.
hey! nice blog..
it’s no use complaining about dark skinned people being under represented in anything to indian people.They still have a deep colonial mentality that was instilled in them by the brits.Although the majority of indians are dark skinned,it’s pitiful the way india tries to hide them..i’d say with this subject of colour,not to mention their gender inequality issues…in addition to the caste system,india is pretty pathetic and probably would never make the transition from a third world to a first world country.They have a lot of social issues to deal with.
As for bollywood,that’s a huge joke,i think they select actors more soley on ‘colour’ these days than for having any talent……i watch indian movies sometimes for comic relief more than anything else …even the better movies have crappy dailogue and overused storylines.
i think ipl is the only way of commercialization