Exclusive: Celebrities react to 'racist' comment against Nawazuddin

Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s recent tweet has set off a debate on the blatant racism prevalent in cinema along with a preference for good looking faces over talent. “Thank U 4 making me realise dat I cannot b paired along wid d fair & handsome bcz I m dark & not good looking, but I never focus on that. (sic),” the actor wrote.

Many understood that it was a reply to the demeaning remarks made by the casting director of his upcoming film Babumoshai Bandookbaaz, Sanjay Chouhan who had reportedly stated, “We can’t cast fair and handsome people with Nawaz. It would look so weird. You have to take people with distinct features and personalities when pairing them with him.” While he later claimed that he had been misquoted, many netizens as well as film personalities saw his comment as a reflection of a very common norm in the film industry.

In fact, well-known Tollywood actor Babu Mohan had once famously claimed, “My looks have been my USP. Many directors cast me because of my ‘distinct features’.” Interestingly, the actor who was branded “not good-looking” mostly played a comedian or the hero’s sidekick — roles that are reserved for people whose very looks evoke laughter.

And he’s not the only one. Even actor Allu Arjun was heavily criticised for his looks in his initial days — before he eventually transitioned into the style icon he is known to be today.

Elaborating on the obsession with looks, director Nandini Reddy observes, “It’s true that there’s an obsession with looks, more so with fair skin. We are racist here.”

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Nandini adds, “Some of the greatest actors we have had aren’t great looking but their personality makes them attractive. In fact, I know many people who think Nawaz is attractive. Same is the case with Irfann Khan. They might not fit into the quintessential Bollywood stereotype of looks, but they are talented and that is what makes them click. So the talk about looks is totally unnecessary.”

Actress Jeevitha Rajasekhar also explains how the obsession with fair skin is silly. “Me, Bhanu Priya, Nandita Das, Shabana Azmi and Smita Patel were all not fair-skinned actresses. Yet, we did good work. But it is not just in cinema. Even otherwise, people think that if one is a fair skinned person, it’s a big qualification! In films too, it is an added advantage, especially for actresses, because people give importance to it. Talent should matter, not complexion,” she says.

— With inputs from Somudra Banerjee and Subhash K. Jha

Nandita Das

Nandita Das
I am sure it doesn’t come as a surprise that Nawaz’s complexion would have impeded his career. Light-coloured skin seems to be in nowadays. Media always seems to be promoting ‘fair’, in a country full of dark people. Every skin care product has a ‘fairness’ element to it. Dark- skinned people are often made to feel inadequate, right from their childhood.

At least, many doors have opened for people like Nawaz and me, and we have had opportunities to explore our interests and talent.But what about those who are pushed against the wall?

In our industry, being fair is a prerequisite and a primary criterion for being acceptable. I can well imagine the challenges that Nawaz must have faced in his career. He has been around for over 10 years, and his sheer talent and perseverance has made him overcome this prejudice. And I am happy for him!

“Some of the greatest actors we’ve had aren’t great looking but their personality makes them attractive. I know many people who think Nawaz is attractive. Same is the case with Irfann Khan. They might not fit into the Bollywood stereotype of looks, but they are very talented. So, the talk about looks is totally unnecessary”
– Nandini Reddy, filmmaker

“It’s not just in cinema. Even otherwise, people think if one is a fair skinned person, it’s a big qualification!”
– Jeevita Rajashekar, actress

Bollywood has always suffered from a ‘gora chitta’ complex. Show me one dusky superheroine or superhero. Dusky. Not ‘wheat complexioned’. Talent is recognised at the character actors’ level only. Look at Amy Jackson’s spectacular acceptance in Bollywood! There is a colour/complexion bias. Don’t forget Bollywood biggies are mainly North Indian ‘fair and lovely’ people who prefer other equally ‘fair and lovely’ people. Nepotism exists but certainly doesn’t rock. Colour discrimination also exists, and won’t go away because of what a talented actor like Nawazuddin says.
–Shobhaa De, writer