Shehnaz's Plea

[shaasavera]

Re: Shehnaz’s Plea

@redvelvet

Kangna has been vocal about her refusal to do a fairness add. Clearly she understand the detrimental effects of such ads on society, right? Either that…or she wants to send the message to the masses that my fairness was God-given and not achieved through applying creams in my face Par theek hai…let’s say that Kangana refuses such ads because it’s a societal dilemma. And she’s not the only actress to reject these ad offers; there are several others. So, if these actresses understand the harmful effects of these ads and even have the guts to admit this openly despite that fact that their other celebrity friends actively endorse these ads…why do they not show that admit the harmfulness of item songs? Why do we not see that same courage and forthrightness then?

So, actresses have a problem with being seen as fair-skin endorsers…but they don’t have a problem with being seen as “sexy” or as a piece of meat in item songs on Maxim covers etc? The latter image is seen as a positive thing. And mayhaps 2 crore would not be that huge of a loss compared to losing out on movies for rejecting item numbers or declining to do sleazy scenes. Nobody forced them to do the fairness ads…they chose not to do them…just as they chose to strip down for a Maxim cover. They made a choice in what image they wanted to project of themselves in both scenarios.

Also Savera, not sure I quite agree with you saying that it’s mostly the audience’s fault in that they make the demands…hence the supply by the entertainment industry is provided. Who introduces trends into a society? Usually not the average person. It’s the big wigs of tinsel town that introduce the titillation to the masses…to give em “a lil taste” and if it’s a hit…then they churn out more and more. So, it’s a two-way street, no? And many times celebs and the entertainment industry churn something out several times to develop a tolerance or immunity among the masses. Many would deem this a conspiracy-theory, but I feel there’s truth to it.

I knew you would ask me about Kangana’s intentions so i did some googling on her views of fairness creams. she believes she has a responsibility to her fairness obsessed society and it also as a response to the personal experience of her sister who is dusky skinned. http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/never-understood-the-concept-of-fairness-kangana-ranaut/article1-1149723.aspx

**“My sister (Rangoli Ranaut) is dusky, yet beautiful. If I go ahead and be part of this campaign, then, in a way, I would be insulting her. If I can’t do that to my sister, then how can I do it to the entire nation?” **

She is one of a few actors who have refused fairness ads including Ranbir Kapoor.

I don’t know if Kangana has done any item songs or if Chitrangada Singh, another actress against fairness ads has done any.
Ab to maine aap ko convince kiya na ya mujhe aur research karne ki zaroorat hai

I do not know if them speaking out against item song numbers by other actresses will do well for harmony within the industry. We know how competitive such an industry is and no one wants to make rivalries. Then there would be that tricky situation of hypocrisy if down the line a director compelled them to do an item number and then these words come to haunt them. Actresses always don’t stay popular and as movies is their job they may have no choice. With fairness ads it is just something they do on the side. Katrina Kaif earns more with 1 item song number then she does with a whole movie numbering in the crores so even though not right in a material world this probably influences her choice.
HOw much say do they have in whether they can decide to do an item number or not? If they don’t will they be replaced?
With item songs maybe they see it as an extension of their role in the movie. I do agree they shouldn’t endorse “sexy” covers because they have more choice than over a song in a movie.

The audience shouldn’t take all the fault but maybe part of it. Why are item songs popular hits like munni badnam hui and they weren’t as popular 10-20 years ago? Why are the older item songs less revealing then ones today? I would say it has to do with trends and westernisation. More people going abroad getting westernised or people in the industry wanting to be more like Hollywood, the biggest film industry in the world. Maybe they do introduce new ideas but how many people adopt it. How many people walk the streets in miniskirts like shown in movies? The ones who do also observe the ones dressed like that get catcalls, which is obviously wrong, but it is not a behaviour anyone wants to attract.

There is also a big divide between the skimpy clothes of movies and the daily soaps Indian watch where the females are in traditional clothes and completely covered. Then parents say to their children when watching movies/tv shows be more like the females in Tv shows who act better and more appropriately than Bollywood actresses. Bollywood does some have influence but i feel like we give it too much credit.

My parents were telling some family friends why they prefer Pakistani dramas to some Indian dramas and amongst the better plot, shorter episodes and less hugging/type affection between the couples.

I think once they get older actresses will have more courage to come out against this. Hema Malini has come out against item numbers. She says especially established actresses should not do item numbers