Not just the North East
The increasing represenatation of North Eastern actors and culture in Bollywood is a step in the right direction.
It’s a mixed bag when it comes to the representation of those from the northeastern region of the country in mainstream Bollywood. But at least there is representation. When I was on Indian Idol about 15 years ago, the only representation I saw was one where anyone with Oriental features was thrown into one category.
Not a gimmick
Fortunately, the last few years have seen some good work emerge, thanks to OTT platforms. Social media also plays a role—you’re reading about the Assam floods on social media, not mainstream news channels.
In Ayushmann Khurrana’s Anek (2022), the cast was indigenous. I auditioned for it, but the team wanted to cast people from the region. There was a glaring error: The number plate of a car read “NE” or North East, as opposed to an actaul state. But I’m glad the movie at least got made.
Chum Darang’s role in Badhaai Do (2022) didn’t do much to educate, but I was happy to see her. It doesn’t matter where the person is from, but that she plays the role well.
The talented Seven Sisters
I would love to see more creators emerge from the North East and tell their stories themselves. Those are the most authentic stories. For example, Axone (2019), one of the first OTT successes, was directed by Nicholas Kharkongor, who is from the North East.
“I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE CREATORS EMERGE FROM THE NORTH EAST AND TELL THEIR STORIES THEMSELVES. THOSE ARE THE MOST AUTHENTIC STORIES.” —MEIYANG CHANG
If Vishal Bhardwaj hadn’t made our episode for Modern Love Mumbai, I would have wanted to. Because it is about my culture and lineage—I am from China but was born in Jharkhand, raised in Dehradun and Mussoorie, and now live in Mumbai.
Learn by doing
Racism comes in two forms. One can be corrected. That’s when you don’t realise it’s wrong, but you are willing to learn. Like, till a couple of years ago, many people didn’t know the word bhangi is a casteist slur.
But malicious racism is still there in all of us, whether it’s about caste, dark skin, or social status. Changing that will be difficult because the attitude needs to change.
(As told to Karishma Kuenzang) brunchletters@hindustantimes.com Follow @HTBrunch on Twitter and Instagram
Meiyang Chang is an actor, singer, and dentist, who shot to fame in Indian Idol in 2006.
I Say Chaps is a guest column that allows passionate, creative people a platform to have their say.