So I have been following the entire Deepika - TOI debacle. I just read her post and have some thoughts I really couldn't keep to myself. So bear with me, if you will.
If you find yourself disagreeing while you read, all I ask of you is to do me the favour of reading till the end, and then let's have the debate on comments. :)
Two lines of hers, I'd like to call out, before we go on:
Of the last twenty Bollywood blockbusters, how many had an element of 'regressive tactics' that were leveraged to attract viewers? How many item songs have been used to attract audiences and 'add strategic value' to a movie?
Are you really telling me that directly or otherwise only impedes the uprooting of the objectification of women from our community? It's definitely doing naught to support the movement, no?
Further, your participation in the objectification of women via your characters, I warrant, very much leads to a large mass of your viewers adopting such behaviour and objectifying women around them. And even if not, just makes it more commonplace and acceptable at the least.
Your characters have real consequences for other women "off -screen". High time you recognised that.
I am entirely with you on this being unacceptable and such, but I just wish you'd realise that a part of the responsibility of the situation and the power to change it sits on your shoulders as well.
If I may, you (as a collective) have done an immensely shitty job, of having that power and responsibility.
All I ask is, while you point fingers and cry foul (which you have every right and basis to), maybe you should start with yourself if you are really trying to effect change.
You don't need to survive in the industry. You've definitely made enough to not need to work in a single movie ever again, if it went against your principles. And if you haven't there are avenues to make money that don't involve being hypocritical about this. There are movies (a few, I agree) that are made that don't demand this objectification.
The change IS you. Lead it. Be it. Set an example for all of us.
Thank you.
(Wait, is this my first ever open letter? Sweet. Anyway.)
PS
If you find yourself disagreeing while you read, all I ask of you is to do me the favour of reading till the end, and then let's have the debate on comments. :)
Two lines of hers, I'd like to call out, before we go on:
"I have spoken out against an ideology that such regressive tactics are still being employed to draw a reader’s attention"
"My issue is you propagating the objectification of a REAL person,and not a character being played."Disclaimers:
- By your - I mean the Bollywood community, and not just her. I haven't seen a Bollywood movie in about a year, so don't know for sure the roles she's played and such.
- I wholeheartedly agree that this show of behaviour by TOI is despicable, warrants the outrage, and should be condemned.
- This post is as much for her, as for the people within the movie fraternity, and for the people who have been expressing their support to her (I don't mean they shouldn't have).
Of the last twenty Bollywood blockbusters, how many had an element of 'regressive tactics' that were leveraged to attract viewers? How many item songs have been used to attract audiences and 'add strategic value' to a movie?
Are you really telling me that directly or otherwise only impedes the uprooting of the objectification of women from our community? It's definitely doing naught to support the movement, no?
Further, your participation in the objectification of women via your characters, I warrant, very much leads to a large mass of your viewers adopting such behaviour and objectifying women around them. And even if not, just makes it more commonplace and acceptable at the least.
Your characters have real consequences for other women "off -screen". High time you recognised that.
I am entirely with you on this being unacceptable and such, but I just wish you'd realise that a part of the responsibility of the situation and the power to change it sits on your shoulders as well.
If I may, you (as a collective) have done an immensely shitty job, of having that power and responsibility.
All I ask is, while you point fingers and cry foul (which you have every right and basis to), maybe you should start with yourself if you are really trying to effect change.
You don't need to survive in the industry. You've definitely made enough to not need to work in a single movie ever again, if it went against your principles. And if you haven't there are avenues to make money that don't involve being hypocritical about this. There are movies (a few, I agree) that are made that don't demand this objectification.
The change IS you. Lead it. Be it. Set an example for all of us.
Thank you.
(Wait, is this my first ever open letter? Sweet. Anyway.)
PS
- I don't have stats for the reach of an avg. Bollywood movie, but it'd be larger than that of TOI's exaggerated 60Lakhs possibly? Help me with stats if you have, please?
- I am a fan of her's and therefore, a picture, that I find absolutely gorgeous.
