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The world of entertainment now has... Today inclusivity and diversity are two integral ingredients of any hit TV show, awards ceremony or movie. We explore this trend that’s sweeping across the entertainment world
The global entertainment industry was always seen as a liberal space, where talent ruled above all else. Often though, this diktat was more of a token arrangement, where ethnicity did influence a performer’s journey to success. However, times are changing, and today terms like inclusivity and diversity are more in tune with the current politically correct times. While cynics may dismiss this as gimmicky attempts at appeasing worldwide audiences, colour blind performers are here to stay.
FLAUNT THAT ETHNICITY
The OTT platform has especially celebrated this new-age trend by including actors of varied origins and skin tones, as seen in the recent Netflix hit series, Bridgerton, in which black artistes played prominent roles. Indian author Arvind Adiga’s White Tiger has been adapted into the newly released movie by the same name, which has Indian and Western co-producers, desi actors and an Iranian director, Rammin Bahrani, at the helm.
Has this opened up more doors for talented artistes from across the world? “Yes,” says actor Prashantt Guptha. “If you look through the content on Netflix and Amazon, there are more ethnic minorities in leading and secondary roles now. The studios want to avoid any flak as we often see through the satirical compering of Oscars and Golden Globes. Plus, inclusivity and diversity actually paint a more accurate picture of the world apart from it being strategically effective demographically.”
DESI GIRLS PAVE THE WAY
There is speculation that Kaitlyn Jenner is being considered to replace Kim Katrall in the Sex and the City reboot. That is also why India’s Priyanka Chopra was quoted by multiple international studios before she made her entry with Quantico, in a non-desi stereotypical role. Since then, she has been consciously opted for carefully constructed roles in films such as the
2019-romance–fantasy, Isn’t it Romantic, and the
2018-family-drama, A Kid Like Jake, in which she blends naturally with the
rest of the cast.
I definitely believe more doors are opening up for artistes as we have become more inclusive as compared to a time 20 years back. I think Priyanka Chopra has made an impact not just because there are more scripts available for a diverse casting but also because she is immensely talented — SHRIMA RAI, lifestyle
and fashion blogger