We may dismiss these social media outrages and skirmishes as tempests in virtual teapots. However, the discussions that emerge from these make people think, they clarify concepts, sensitise people and help shape public opinion on various issues. So you could say that the furore over Sara Ali Khan’s ‘racist photo shoot’ is a nonevent; or you could say that it started a conversation around what constitutes racism, about insensitivity and about what should and shouldn’t offend us.
It was a ‘sneak peek’ behind the scenes of a cover shoot featuring Sara Ali Khan. She appears with a stick; dressed in an outfit that appears to be a cross between Queen Victoria and Crocodile Dundee. There is what appears to be a tribal African warrior (or Bollywood’s version thereof) inexplicably jumping up and down a little behind her. (if they are trying to depict adumu, the jumping dance of the Maasai, they are clearly not succeeding).
Filmfare describes Khan as a stunner (she is feisty, animated and charming but ‘stunner’ may be rather generous); the other human being in the frame clearly not worthy of explanation or even acknowledgement.
A lot of Twitter users were appalled at what is essentially the use of a person as a prop of some sort because of the colour of their skin. The post attracted accusations ranging from racism to cultural appropriation; particularly in the absence of context or framing of any kind.
This is tone-deaf and Filmfare is unable to recognise it or doesn’t care about it, thought a lot of people. Do you really see nothing wrong in this Filmfare, was the tenor of most commentators who responded unfavourably.
The purpose behind this is difficult to fathom. Is there a message; if so what is the message other than a racist, pro-colonial one? Is there no message and is this just a result of complete non-application of mind?
We Indians have long been the victims of racism; and during colonial times of severe cultural oppression. It is baffling that; in spite of this, we Indians continue to have – quite unconsciously perhaps – a startlingly racist mindset.
She should have known better, was the view of a lot of people about Sara Ali Khan. As someone educated abroad; presumably with a wider and more sensitive worldview, maybe she should have protested or put a stop to it all?
It isn’t possible that no one involved in creating the Filmfare shoot realised how this would be construed as racist and/or, offensive and/or cultural appropriation of a kind. Perhaps the publication is looking to create controversy? Perhaps the publication is looking to be inappropriate so that suddenly, people who would otherwise not give a second glance to a glamour mag would suddenly notice, start talking, and paying attention to it?
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