Vivek Agnihotri, the controversial Bollywood director, recently stirred up a social media storm with his comments on Deepika Padukone presenting at the Oscars. The actress was selected to present an award at the 91st Academy Awards ceremony, which took place on February 24, 2019. However, Agnihotri’s reaction to this news was far from congratulatory.
In a tweet, Agnihotri wrote, “She has been asked to present Oscars. She is thrilled. So is her PR agency. She will look good in front of the world and Indian paparazzi. ‘Acche Din’ after all. #mediacrooks #indianmediabuysjournalists.” Check the screenshot of the tweet as under:
The tweet received widespread criticism from fans and fellow celebrities alike, with many calling out Agnihotri for his sexist and derogatory comments. Some even accused him of being jealous of Deepika’s success and international recognition.
Agnihotri, however, defended his comments, stating that he was merely pointing out the hypocrisy of the media and the film industry. He claimed that the media was biased towards certain celebrities and that they used their influence to manipulate public opinion.
Deepika Padukone, who has been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, responded to Agnihotri’s comments with a tweet of her own. She wrote, “Yes, I am a woman. I have breasts and a cleavage. You got a problem? Don’t talk about ‘Indian culture’ when you can’t respect a woman’s body. #IndiaCulture.”
This exchange of tweets between Agnihotri and Padukone highlights the ongoing issue of sexism and misogyny in the Indian film industry. Despite the significant strides made towards gender equality in recent years, many prominent figures in Bollywood continue to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and undermine the achievements of women in the industry.
While Agnihotri’s comments may have been intended to spark a conversation about media bias, they ultimately serve to perpetuate the toxic culture of sexism that pervades the Indian film industry. As more and more women continue to break barriers and achieve success in the industry, it is crucial that we support and celebrate their accomplishments, rather than tearing them down with baseless criticism and derogatory comments.
