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Bollywood's favourite WHIPPING GIRL
Aishwarya has never ever come to be accepted for her histrionic skills. No matter what she does, her radiant looks – sort of plastic and mannequin-like according to vehement critics – simply continue to override her performance.
By Rajeev Nair
Aishwarya did the unpardonable in 'Jeans'… that Tamil movie, which attained notoriety for being nominated by India to compete at the Academy Awards: She danced with her mouth wide open.
Now, don't ask if the other actresses don't do that but when Aishwarya Rai, India's former Miss World does that, it looks rather unbecoming.
Now, don't ask if the other actresses don't do that but when Aishwarya Rai, India's former Miss World does that, it looks rather unbecoming.
Guess it all must have started then.
Aishwarya has never ever come to be accepted for her histrionic skills.
No matter what she does, her radiant looks – sort of plastic and mannequin-like according to vehement critics – simply continue to override her performance.
In fact, that almost confined her in the image trap of the 'demure Indian wife/lover' a la 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' to 'Devdas' to (a certain extent) 'Kandukondein Kandukondein.'
And then she shook free… well, almost.
When Bollywood was only talking about the great 'cross over' to the West, Aishwarya went ahead and did it.
When Bollywood was only talking about the great 'cross over' to the West, Aishwarya went ahead and did it.
She walked the Cannes red carpet, brushed shoulders with Hollywood legends, even judged films for their artistic merit… and in the process, she became the pet peeve, the forever whipping girl for Bollywood critics.
Be it 'The Last Legion' or 'Sarkar Raj,' Aishwarya Rai cannot and would not be given the respect she commands as an actress.
There is almost a devilish glee in belittling her – the strategy that works to the initial advantage of critics, who want to be heard above the din.
It is pretty simple, actually.
When you pan Aishwarya – or for that matter any popular star – you almost position yourself on a more intellectual plane.
On the flip side is the forever fawning of the mainstream film press. Gushing and drooling, they place Aishwarya on a pedestal… and she became an easy target.
And it continues to this day… to 'Sarkar Raj,' where despite a decent performance, she continues to be panned.
This is no exercise to cast a soft light on Aishwarya.
But since when did actors take the blame for flaws in their characterization?
Aishwarya's character in 'Sarkar Raj' could have been loosely inspired by the real-life persona of Rebecca Mark of Enron – but why must we insist that Anita has to be a Rebecca clone?
Why can't the character be perceived as just another lady-entrepreneur – who dreams big but is emotionally brittle at heart?
Maybe, there must be a different yardstick to critique on Aishwarya Rai – where she is not judged for her off-screen persona but as a mere actor – not immensely talented but not as bad or worse than the Sushmita Sens and Priyanka Chopras either.
Come on, this girl has given India some proud moments.
Why be merciless just because her looks can make you swoon?
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