The whole controversy began when a leading daily published a derogatory report on Deepika’s dress showing a part of her cleavage reading“OMG: Deepika Padukone’s Cleavage Show.” The article triggered the ire of this leading Bollywood actress who very rightly retorted that “YES! I am a Woman. I have breasts AND a cleavage! You got a problem!!??” There was a war of words on twitter with celebrities and the common people standing by her and supporting her statement. The article, published on September 14 trended in twitter and Deepika was applauded for not keeping quiet and responding to the sexist statement.
The daily was in a damage control mode and said that the article was published with an intention to compliment her. Supporting her, Shaina NC had rightly said that objectification was no compliment. Many other bollywood stars had come out in her support and took to twitter to express the same. Ranveer Singh, Deepika’s co- star wrote: “@deepikapadukone way to let ’em know! #LikeABoss.” Director-producer Karan Johar expressed his shock and disbelief and wrote he was disgusted with the level of disrespect shown and neither Deepika nor any other women should put up with all this. Ayushmann Khuranna sarcastically wrote on twitter referring to pg 3 journalism as yellow journalism and addressing it by saying that a star showed it that some of them were green.
Apart from such angry reactions from celebrities, there were angry reactions from the public also. However, this incident questions the way women are treated in India. Deepika Padukone has done something that a lot of women can seek inspiration from, especially the ones who are very shy and docile. And what is more praiseworthy is the act that very few actresses have actually come forward and relied to such a sexist statement and that too in such a bold manner. It is good to see such strong female characters emerging who are so conscious about their rights and sense of their respect. India needs many more people like Deepika. Only then can we uproot the patriarchal mindset of our society.
We are born in a country which either deifies women or demean them. We are no devis. We are ordinary beings just like men. We deserve love, respect and freedom. We need to be treated at par with them, neither more nor less. We are not objects of your sexual gratification and leering. Stop beings sexists. We won’t tolerate it.
