Mallika slammed for ‘regressive’ India comment in Cannes

MUMBAI: India is “regressive for women” and a “depressing” place to be, said Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat, explaining why she divides her time between India and the US. She was speaking at the 66th Cannes International Film Festival, at an interaction at The Variety Studio.

Talking to Variety’s Steve Gaydos, the 36-year-old Indian actress, who divides her time between India and Los Angeles, was highly critical of her country, particularly for women. “I made a conscious decision to divide my time between Los Angeles and India,” she said.

“So when I enjoy the social freedom in America and go back to India, which is so regressive for women, it’s depressing. As an independent woman, it’s really depressing.”

However, Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra has slammed Mallika for criticizing India and calling it a depressing and regressive nation for women.

Talking about Mallika Sherawat’s statement, Priyanka Chopra said at a UNICEF event on Monday: “I think we are a progressive nation. I disagree that we are a regressive nation. We are all sitting here and talking about educating the girl child, taking our country forward. I think it’s a misrepresentation of what our great nation is on the world platform.”

Priyanka Chopra also said that she felt very offended by Mallika’s statement. She said that Mallika’s statements were very callous and upsetting. Priyanka added, “It was upsetting for me as a woman. It was upsetting for me as a girl who comes from India. I think it was extreme misrepresentation of our nation. I don’t think it’s fair.”