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Kangana Ranaut
Idols have clay feet.
That's something Kangana Ranaut's ardent fans are realising now.For a long time, Kangana was a symbol of feminism and hope for many in Bollywood. She dragged out issues that had been buried in the murky depths of Bollywood, like nepotism for instance and fought back singlehandedly at the big stars in the industry, without caring if anyone took her side or not. Though most preferred to refrain from commenting on her explosive statements, others grudgingly praised her for taking a strong position on sensitive issues.
With the tag of an outsider, Kangana had us at the word go as she battled exclusion, exploitation and blatant sexism to get to the top. And she never hesitated to call out those who did her wrong. She wasn't change itself, but she seemed like a catalyst for sure.
We were awed and impressed.
Sadly, the veneer of fondness is wearing off now.
After the saree comment and her laughing at a rape joke, it seems as if Kangana has a very narrow understanding of feminism. To be clear, feminism does not have a textbook definition that just includes advocating women's rights and then never applying it to real life. And it's definitely not a word just to be splashed about liberally at events.
It's plain common sense. That's all feminism is. And now, looks like there are glaring loopholes in Kangana's understanding of the word itself.
THE SAREE COMMENT
In a recent interview, the Queen actress said, "I think if you're an Indian woman, you should know how to drape a saree. It's a racket out there with people who only want to shame others in the name of propagating their culture and identity."
So, for an Indian woman to wear her individuality on her sleeve, it's necessary that she know how to wear a sari. Why does our identity and culture have to be confined to what we wear?
Why should Indian women be expected to know how to wear a saree? When did a garment become bigger than an identity?
Kangana's comment seems to be in tandem with designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee's statement last year.
"I think, if you tell me you do not know how to wear a saree, I would say shame on you. It's a part of your culture, (you) need to stand up for it," he had said. He received heavy flak for his statements.
It's bizarre that Kangana, who's championed the cause of women and free speech and choices so often, has provided rather narrow parameters for Indian culture and indirectly shamed Indian women for not knowing how to wear the garment perfectly.
LAUGHING AT THE RAPE JOKE
Last month, Kangana was heard laughing at a rape joke, cracked by Jim Sarbh along the sidelines of the Cannes International Film Festival 2018. It is even more appalling because she is someone who has faced different kinds of abuse at the hands of a certain actor. In fact, she has always been an inspiration to women, who realised that they didn't have to suffer exploitation.
And then she laughs at this joke.
"I'd rather be raped by 12 prostitutes than touch alcohol and the Punjabi says 'Me too, I didn't know that was an option'," is the joke Jim Sarbh had cracked.
Kangana and several others had laughed at the joke.
KANGANA'S VIEWS ON FEMINISM
Kangana has always voiced her opinions on feminism fearlessly, and she was much appreciated for that.
She had called feminism the "medicine" in a sick society. "My idea of feminism is that it is equality, right? Feminism is not a concept. Feminism is compensation. It is a subject of discussion these days because eventually, we have to emphasise that men and women are same, that only blood flows through our veins like anybody else's, and there has to be equal pay for equal work. So, feminism is compensation for a lack in the society. We live in a sick society, and feminism is its medicine," she had once said in an interview.
This all sounds great and inspiring. But maybe it's time Kangana learnt to lead by example and not precepts.
Kangana Ranaut
Idols have clay feet.
That's something Kangana Ranaut's ardent fans are realising now.
That's something Kangana Ranaut's ardent fans are realising now.
For a long time, Kangana was a symbol of feminism and hope for many in Bollywood. She dragged out issues that had been buried in the murky depths of Bollywood, like nepotism for instance and fought back singlehandedly at the big stars in the industry, without caring if anyone took her side or not. Though most preferred to refrain from commenting on her explosive statements, others grudgingly praised her for taking a strong position on sensitive issues.
With the tag of an outsider, Kangana had us at the word go as she battled exclusion, exploitation and blatant sexism to get to the top. And she never hesitated to call out those who did her wrong. She wasn't change itself, but she seemed like a catalyst for sure.
We were awed and impressed.
Sadly, the veneer of fondness is wearing off now.
After the saree comment and her laughing at a rape joke, it seems as if Kangana has a very narrow understanding of feminism. To be clear, feminism does not have a textbook definition that just includes advocating women's rights and then never applying it to real life. And it's definitely not a word just to be splashed about liberally at events.
It's plain common sense. That's all feminism is. And now, looks like there are glaring loopholes in Kangana's understanding of the word itself.
THE SAREE COMMENT
In a recent interview, the Queen actress said, "I think if you're an Indian woman, you should know how to drape a saree. It's a racket out there with people who only want to shame others in the name of propagating their culture and identity."
So, for an Indian woman to wear her individuality on her sleeve, it's necessary that she know how to wear a sari. Why does our identity and culture have to be confined to what we wear?
Why should Indian women be expected to know how to wear a saree? When did a garment become bigger than an identity?
Kangana's comment seems to be in tandem with designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee's statement last year.
"I think, if you tell me you do not know how to wear a saree, I would say shame on you. It's a part of your culture, (you) need to stand up for it," he had said. He received heavy flak for his statements.
It's bizarre that Kangana, who's championed the cause of women and free speech and choices so often, has provided rather narrow parameters for Indian culture and indirectly shamed Indian women for not knowing how to wear the garment perfectly.
LAUGHING AT THE RAPE JOKE
Last month, Kangana was heard laughing at a rape joke, cracked by Jim Sarbh along the sidelines of the Cannes International Film Festival 2018. It is even more appalling because she is someone who has faced different kinds of abuse at the hands of a certain actor. In fact, she has always been an inspiration to women, who realised that they didn't have to suffer exploitation.
And then she laughs at this joke.
"I'd rather be raped by 12 prostitutes than touch alcohol and the Punjabi says 'Me too, I didn't know that was an option'," is the joke Jim Sarbh had cracked.
Kangana and several others had laughed at the joke.
KANGANA'S VIEWS ON FEMINISM
Kangana has always voiced her opinions on feminism fearlessly, and she was much appreciated for that.
She had called feminism the "medicine" in a sick society. "My idea of feminism is that it is equality, right? Feminism is not a concept. Feminism is compensation. It is a subject of discussion these days because eventually, we have to emphasise that men and women are same, that only blood flows through our veins like anybody else's, and there has to be equal pay for equal work. So, feminism is compensation for a lack in the society. We live in a sick society, and feminism is its medicine," she had once said in an interview.
This all sounds great and inspiring. But maybe it's time Kangana learnt to lead by example and not precepts.
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