You are the face of the ‘Dark Is Beautiful’ campaign that has gone viral on
social media. Has the campaign been able to challenge
the general bias in favour of a fair skin?
The campaign was started by a group named Women of Worth in 2009 and I
became a part of it in 2013. ‘Dark is Beautiful’ was the brainchild of Kavita
Emmanuel who is founder and director of the group. I supported the campaign and
was chosen to be its face. As it gained momentum, many women started speaking
out against complexion-related discrimination. I received countless emails from women who
said they have to face humiliation because they are dark. These women said the
campaign has empowered them.
Does Bollywood prefer fair actresses?
Of course! In the industry everyone prefers a fair actress. A dark
actress’ skin tone is made a shade or two lighter in the make-up room. There
are dark male actors around but it is difficult to find a female actor with a
wheatish complexion. I have never believed that in order to be a good actor one
has to be fair. I am fortunate that my parents never discussed my complexion. The
film industry experience, however, was different. There have been instances of
directors and camerapersons telling me that I should make my skin tone lighter
to suit certain characters I was playing. If even an actor like me gets to hear
all this, I wonder what millions of other dark women are subjected to. The make-up
man boasts he is an expert in making people look fair. Bollywood
movies have always glorified fair skin.
Do you believe the campaign has had an
impact on the advertisement agencies and the film industry?
The ad agencies have definitely become
more responsible, as can be evinced from the current fairness cream ads on TV. Advertising
Standards Council of India of India has prescribed certain norms that
advertisement makers have to abide by. As far as the film industry is concerned,
the campaign has had small impact. Many film stars still endorse fairness creams.
However, there are a few who have put their foot down when asked to appear in a
fairness cream ad. By doing so they have set an example.
You have always championed the rights
of the LGBT community. Have you also taken part in protests denouncing Article
377?
Yes. We still have that archaic law in
the Indian Penal Code which even the British do not have. Why should we follow
that? These are human rights that we are talking about. Every person has the right
to free expression. The Constitution has granted equal rights to all citizens
of the country. Article 377 is discriminatory in nature.
You have worked in many women-centric
films. Do you think more such films need to be made?
Many films have had women as
protagonists. From old films like ‘Mirch Masala’, ‘Chasme Badoor’ and the Shyam
Benegal films to recent ones like ‘Page 3’ and ‘Queen’, we have seen some
strong women characters. The film industry is changing with new writers and new
stories coming in, so I think there is more scope today for women actors to
play different characters. People are now exposed to world cinema and mindsets are
slowly changing. We have a long way to go, though.
Do you think the rise of social media has
helped women put forward their problems before the public?
I suppose social media has made it
easier for all of us to voice our opinions. It has definitely increased the
space for discussion and different opinions and perspectives are competing for
attention on social media. Someone should do a serious research on whether social
media has empowered women and enabled them to voice their opinions. I think it
has made a difference.
Intolerance today is an issue that the
entire nation is discussing. What is your take on the issue?
The entire nation cannot be painted
with the same brush. India is a glorious example of unity in diversity and its people
are not just tolerant but also respect different faiths and cultures. We are an
intrinsically pluralist society. Certain sections of our society are intolerant
and even bigoted but that was true in different periods of Indian history. Unfortunately,
those who are intolerant and abusive are getting not only more space in the media
these days but also backing by powerful politicians. Over the past few months
there have been incidences of intolerance in different parts of the country.
These should be condemned in the harshest possible terms.
The Central government is mulling
revamping the censor board under the leadership of Shyam Benegal. What are your
expectations?
I think better norms in the film
certification process will come into place under the guidance of Shyam Benegal
who is a sensible filmmaker. A team of members cannot decide what the people of
the country may want to see. Let the people see and decide for themselves what
is right and wrong. The censor board may not agree with the views expressed in
certain films but that does not mean it should reject those outright. For
instance, many U-rated films have offended my sensibilities and I have found
them objectionable on different grounds. I think it’s a matter of
perspective. What’s right in your eyes may be wrong in mine. Filmmakers should censor their
own work before putting them out for public consumption.
You have acted in films made in
different regional languages. Even good films made in the regional languages
don’t get to become as popular as those made in Bollywood. Why?
First of all I do not believe in the
distinction between regional and mainstream Hindi films. Films are all a part
of cinema. There are only good and bad films. Films made in languages other
than Hindi do not have enough marketing muscle unlike the mainstream commercial
films. I have worked in very good films which have powerful and meaningful
stories but they do not reach a wider audience as they are poorly marketed. Due
to this reason many people do not get to watch these films. Economy interferes
with art.
What are your future plans?
I am working on a film based on the
life of Saadat Hasan Manto, a famous Pakistani writer whose heart yearned for
Bombay where he spent many years of his life. He was tried several times during
the British raj and also in Pakistan for obscenity. Salman Rushdie has called
him the greatest writer of south Asia. His story is very relevant as he fought
for freedom of expression and struggled to go beyond national and religious identities.
What intrigues me is that there is a Mantoiyat in all of us — the part that wants
to be free-spirited and outspoken. Manto’s fight for freedom
of expression and against orthodoxy is truly inspirational.
