Air-brushing: how much is too much?

For long, magazine covers have been in the eye of the storm for air-brushed pictures, and Vogue India’s latest cover has sparked the debate yet again. The cover, featuring actor Rani Mukerji, has run into controversy as netizens feel the actor looks far more perfect in the picture than she does in real life.

The ‘ageless’ cover, as the publication calls it, drew flak as soon as it hit the stands, with many saying that Rani, a natural beauty, doesn’t need photoshop to transform into someone else. Other actors who’ve featured on covers agree that too much photoediting spoils the shoot. “Are we saying only slim is perfect? Kudos to Huma Qureshi for doing the cover about embracing your body. We must stop chasing after the perfect body,” says Richa Chadha.

Actor Chitrangda Singh, who has been a victim of photoshop herself, says it’s heartening that drastic photoshopping is drawing flak: “I’ve had people asking me if I’ve gone under the knife because I don’t look like myself on a cover. When I see drastically altered pictures of myself, I feel I don’t need this, I don’t want stronger jawlines. Actors and editors must take a strong stand on being real.”

Agrees actor Shilpa Shetty, who has graced many covers. “While it’s justified to remove injury marks or a bra strap showing, sometimes the face or body of the celeb is digitally altered to an extent that they change beyond recognition. That’s too much,” she says. While the publication’s fashion director Anaita Shroff Adajania says “there’s no controversy”, editor Priya Tanna wasn’t available for comment. Rani, who is travelling, also couldn’t be reached.

Sometimes the face or body of the celeb is digitally altered to an extent that they change beyond recognition. That’s too much Shilpa Shetty, actor I’ve had people asking me if I have gone under the knife because I don’t look like myself on a magazine...

Beauty standards must be realistic. Be comfortable being who you are without chasing the perfect body Richa Chadha, actor