New Delhi:
After Bhumi Pednekar starrer Saand Ki Aankh starrer stirred ageism debate in Bollywood, her another upcoming movie opposite Ayushamnn Khuranna, Bala faced online criticism for the actor visibly altered complexion.
Netizens pointed out Bhumi Pednekar's 'fake' dusky skin tone and the whole concept of a 'brownface' is problematic as if Bollywood filmmakers indeed want to discuss India’s cultural obsession with fair skin, they could have cast an actor who is actually has a ‘dusky’ complexion.
Bala addresses male baldness through actor Ayushmann Khurrana’s character, as well as the desire among both men and women to have fair skin.
“This is nothing less than disturbing to me. As a dark-skinned woman, it really saddens me that you can't even cast a person with brown complexion for a role that requires dark complexion.” said an Twitter user
“One day Bollywood will realise dark skinned people exist and they don’t have to put 2 kilos of dark foundation on a fair skinned actress. One day,” one person wrote on Twitter.
“Wish industry had dark-skinned actresses to properly portray the struggle. But it’ll be way too long before that happens. Until then this is what we get. Painted faces,” wrote another. “CAST ACTORS WITH DARK COMPLEXION !! This is why the world asks us why are we racist towards ourselves!!” wrote another person.
Dear bsdk Bollywood,
— Wellलू (@Wellutwt) October 11, 2019
Why did you have to paint bhumi’s face brown, Is there lack of brown girls in India!? Or dark skinned Women / artists who can do a better job,Wait afterall this is just Bollywood ! 😓
What can you expectðŸ˜Â #Bala
This poster is soo weird💀
— ๖ۣۜƤiαﾂ (@ShadySGian) October 10, 2019
and why Bhumi Pednekar when we have Konkona Sen Sharma, Bipasha Basu, Priyanka Chopra and many more bollywood actresses with dusky complextion https://t.co/uk2I2M4sW0
if only there were any actors in this country with darker skin... if only.#BrownFace #Bala pic.twitter.com/baks9OaeFw
— Karnika (@KarnikaKohli) October 10, 2019
Earlier Hrithik Roshan’s character in Super 30 and in Mohenjo Daro earned criticism for being made to wear a brown face to get into the skin of the character. Hrithik’s co-star in the film, Mrunal Thakur, defended the decision and said it was required for the character as whenever she saw Hrithik in his dark complexion, shw would end up calling him Anand and not Hrithik.
