As a matter of choice
Actor Deepika Padukone’s video ‘ My Choice’ has generated sharp reactions. We find out why DP’s choice of being associated with this short film is now creating a big hoopla
In a country like India, women empowerment is an issue that’s been discussed and debated over and over again, but has never been understood by people. Recently, the subject was highlighted by a video featuring Deepika Padukone, where the actress talks about the prerogative of choice. Within no time the video was a viral hit and generated strong reactions from people. Although, the makers of the video claim that they launched it to bring forward the pro- feminist issues, there are a lot of people who are calling it a gimmick.
On one hand there are people who’re lauding the initiative and on the other there are others who are calling Deepika and other women celebrities in the video hypocritical and that empowerment isn’t just a word to be hurled at men.
The short film directed by filmmaker Homi Adjania is a part of the #VogueEmpower initiative that was launched last year.
Advertising professional Deena Philip questions, “Why create such a hungama about your choice? If you’re confident and believe in yourself, you needn’t create such videos.”
Is this a gimmick for her upcoming film Piku?
VARIJA BAJAJ
DESIGNER
Deena adds, “I feel when personalities like Deepika Padukone come out with a video about choices, it should not be gender biased. Everything said in the video applies to both the genders. We should stop showing ourselves ( women) as a weak gender and should speak as one race. As human beings sensitive to each others problems or issues”
Young professional Ekta Panchal begs to differ and says, “This video is to show that women are evolving with society and can do the same stuff as men can.”
A lot of women in the country are not particularly happy with the way the campaign shaped up, as they feel it’s too elitist and doesn’t connect with real women. Mythili Shankara, media professional with a local English daily, says, “I think the video is very elitist. And I do not think the makers know how exactly women need to be empowered because I don’t think they know what the issues are. Empowerment has to happen on a priority basis. There is no point in giving a poor man free entry into a shopping mall unless you give him some money or a job. Similarly, the vast majority of women in middle- class, urban and rural families have many more things to fight for before they can enjoy the freedom to walk in or out of their house at their own time, sleep with whoever they want or wear whatever they like. I don’t think the tonality of the video is right. Just because you warn a man that he is just among seven billion people you choose, doesn’t mean you are empowered.”
Similarly, fashion designer Varija Bajaj dismisses Deepika’s involvement with this project by calling it a gimmick. She says, “Why do I feel it’s a gimmick for her upcoming release Piku? And if this turns out to be true, I will surely be disgusted. Any celebrity endorsing it is opening Pandora’s box on her character. Guess we have no choice but to wait till the release.”
Just after the video went viral, a sharp reaction came in the form of a counter video titled “My Choice,” which depicts what Indian men have to say about individual choices.
Model and actor Amit Ranjan, who saw both the videos feels it’s a very subjective issue and should be tackled very diplomatically. He says, “I have seen both the videos and actually I understand both the points of view. As far as the male version is concerned, I agree that just like women even men have to have an equal say in making their own decisions. We should respect the idea of freedom for all, but the truth in our country is that men have enjoyed more liberties than women and if someone wants to highlight that fact it should be respected.”
Indian men enjoy more liberties than women and if someone wants to highlight that fact it should be respected. AMIT RANJAN, ACTOR, MODEL