I live in Canada and one day my Caucasian (white) uni prof gave an entire lecture on how Indians are obsessed with fair skin. He talked about how Indians have internalized colonization and how Indians put each other down but obsess over foreigners, how and why Fair & Lovely is so popular in the country, how Indians hurt themselves by abiding to the myth of beauty etc...he provided research and statistics and real life examples for everything he said, so it was a hardcore lecture.Whether anyone here accepts it or not, the obsession for fair skin is a huge problem in India and the whole world knows about it (actually this obsession for fair skin is all over South Asia and Africa and in Hollywood the white, blond, blue eyed woman is portrayed as the perfect looking woman).
I have been to India and there are many times when I have found darker women prettier and the people with me always wrinkled their noses and went, "No way, she's dark." Like what? Since when did fairness equate to beauty and darkness equate to the opposite?
I actually know people who's parents and relatives told them, "If you were lighter you would be so much prettier. If only you were lighter". 🤢
People look at these Bollywood actresses (Katrina, Kareena, Aishwarya) and it only re-enforces their belief that stunning beauties are all fair.
I like Deepika because she is the reflection of what a real Indian woman looks like, but even she is photoshopped on magazine covers and movie posters etc and made to look lighter than she actually is. I don't know if that's done at her request or not, but it's still sad to see how much fairness is needed to feed the perception that success only comes with a certain skin colour.
With that said, not all fair celebrities are popular because you need to be a full package in order to last in the industry in the long run. You need to also have good looks and that charm and a certain aura around you. You also need to work your butt off and you won't get anywhere if you don't understand and play by the industry politics. If you develop connections that's even better. Many actresses fulfill sexual favours in order to get roles etc. It's a dirty, dirty game; and fair skin isn't enough to make you win it, but it sure is a good booster and advantage to have.
P.S. Sorry for going way off-topic but a certain comment made here compelled me to make a post on such a serious topic. I hope I have not offended anyone. If I have, my sincere apologies.
Edited by Zeeliciousxo - 11 years ago
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