I am glad and proud of what i did: Gilu

Till Wednesday dawn, Gilu Joseph was known as an actor, poet, lyricist, air hostess, scuba diver and a person consumed by wanderlust. Two more words have been added now - a bold model and a bad egg! On the cover of a Malayalam magazine that hit the stalls was a heavily-dressed-up Gilu holding a baby latched on to her naked bosom. In no time, the photo splashed all over social media with everyone airing their views. Some found it revolutionary while some others objected to a model posing with a baby who is not hers. Many took offence with her ‘sanskari’ avatar as several others found her displaying her breasts as a publicity stunt and marketing gimmick. From not using a real mom to violating child rights to the ‘eroticised’ posture of breastfeeding, everything about the photo set tongues wagging. As the whole world around her erupts, Gilu is calm, smiling, saying, “I am glad and proud of what I did.” 

Expressing unbound joy on being part of a movement that sets off a discourse on public breastfeeding, she explains, “Controversy or not, that people started addressing a taboo topic is what makes the whole thing important. What matters to me is the beauty of the concept and the prestige associated with the noble act, not the nudity or the sanskari-ness. What we meant to say is that women need not feel shame or fear to breastfeed in public places. If saying that makes me a bad egg, I’m proud to be one.”  To people who feel that the photo appears fake as there is no mother-child bonding evident, she says, “It was addressed at breastfeeding and not motherhood. I don’t think I need to be a real mother to spread the message. Moreover, I did not cheat anyone. The magazine had myself explaining who I am and that I have no child.”

It was just a week ago that she was approached with the offer, which she took up without a second thought. “It is a beautiful, revolutionary campaign. Like many, I too grew up in a household where we never discuss menstruation or breastfeeding with the male members of the family. If this helps at least one person to open up and overlook the stigma surrounding such topics, the purpose is served,” she says.  Gilu stresses that there was no violation of anyone’s right. “I didn’t harm the baby in any way. I just gave her a kiss. She was sleeping and the whole shooting happened over three hours. Neither did she stay hungry nor did anyone force her to latch on. The posture in discussion lasted just a few seconds. I’m proud of having breastfed a baby who is not mine. If anyone should be dreading the consequences, it should be me! I am the one who is ‘yet to find a match’, according to societal standards. Shouldn’t I be the one who is afraid,” she asks. 

Amused at the allegations on eroticism and publicity, Gilu feels, “If people found it so, it’s because of the mindsets - classifying each body part as erotic and sexual. It’s good that this discussion is happening. At least we know where our society stands. As a non-practising Christian, a woman and a human being who doesn’t wish to be labeled by any term based on my skin colour or appearance, I am proud of what I do.” Her parents back in her hometown of Kumily haven’t been able to accept the whole hullabaloo, but Gilu is nonchalant. “I respect everyone’s stance. For my parents, I am their daughter who brought them a bad name. For me, what I do is important. And to those engaged in slut-shaming, there are other beautiful things in the world, not just cleavages and navels. There are better things to do,” she concludes.