In your speech at a speaking session at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI), in Goa, you said that women try to copy the way heroines dress up in movies, and would still want to wear western outfits even if “they are fat or whatever.” You added that it is hurtful for you to see the growing westernization of films and Indian women’s preference for western clothing.
It took me a while to process that such fatphobic and body-shaming remarks were coming from a veteran like you. For someone who has been in the public eye and the entertainment industry for so long, it’s very important to acknowledge that it’s more about a woman’s choice and what makes her feel comfortable; not westernization.
Like myself, there are many young women who look up to you. Sadly, your remarks have made us feel conscious about the shape of our bodies and what we should be wearing.
When you entered the Indian film industry in 1959, there must’ve been fashion trends before you that you had to adapt to. In fact, it was between the 1940s and 1950s when women wore jeans for the first time on screen.
You also mentioned that you don’t understand why women copy actresses. “If they are wearing a gown, we will also wear a gown, arrey kahan gayi humaari ghagra-choli, saariyan, aur salwar-kameez?,”
Cinema has always had a great influence on the lives of people like me. While I agree that some people may want to dress like their favourite actors, I don’t think they should be called out.
It’s not about choosing a western style of clothing over traditional Indian wear like saris and lehengas. It’s about our choice, comfort, and the confidence that comes with it, which makes us attractive and feel good about ourselves.
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