‘Why aren’t these questions asked to politicians? What can I do as an actor?’ is what Chopra said at the Penguin Annual Lecture in New Delhi.
Why do those with important voices often hesitate to lend it to important causes? And why is it that when they do, their voices are soaked in done-to-death cliches? The Penguin Annual Lecture by Priyanka Chopra was a reminder of this sad truth.
To be fair, not everyone – especially when they have little to add to a certain discourse – needs to have an opinion on everything. But should that luxury be extended to someone who has, through her work and every decision she’s made, broken the glass ceiling? Should she be given the luxury to condemn, call out and criticise hierarchies and abuse of power only in safe and abstract ways without actually saying anything that would disrupt the status quo?
As she began her lecture as one of the leading superstars of the Indian film industry, Chopra touched upon on some of the most pertinent issues for women, actors, and racial minorities in the 21st century. Full credit to her for that. But here’s the problem: she only touched upon them.
A storm took over the film industry over the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama Padmavati. From the film industry to the Gujarat elections – there was no space that remained unaffected by the brouhaha. When asked to comment on it, though, Chopra did exactly what someone with a fraction of her success and influence would do – duck it, and instead blame the media. The media would only use her name on the ticker to get TRPs, she said accusingly.
“Why aren’t these questions asked to politicians? What can I do as an actor?”
After delivering an entire lecture on being feisty and fearless, this is what it boiled down when asked a question that mattered – what can she even do? Does her voice even count? Never mind that her voice and her ability to influence a discourse was precisely why she found herself on that stage.
Chopra spoke about feminism, harassment, and sexism, but failed to say anything that would ensure anything more than a thumping applause by a star-struck Delhi audience.
On marriage, she threw some more cliches. “I’d love to get married but need to find someone who deserves me,” she quipped – only reinforcing the stereotype that successful women have a hard time finding a match because men, unlike the hundreds of celebrity wives, can’t be trophy spouses.
None of this is to diminish the value of her words. It is, in fact, only a regret that powerful voices like her prefer comfort over risk, status quo over disruption.
To be fair, nothing that Chopra said would leave anyone sulking – but that’s the problem. For how long will women who claim to be fiercely independent promote a brand of innocuous, non-disruptive feminism, and be hailed as brand ambassadors of a movement that must thrive on radical words and choices?
The choice of Chopra as the person to deliver the Penguin Annual Lecture was in itself an inexplicable one and has been criticised enough. Bollywood actors play many characters, including literature giants, on screen, and bring them to life for people who otherwise wouldn’t ever know of them. They really need not be asked to do it in real life, where authors can represent their own kind.
Obviously media is disappointed that they got nothing sensational out of PC here. Everyone has the right to choose their battles and then be fearless in them. However by being fearless she was referring to women empowerment issues. That’s no way connected to Padmavati issue. Why does she need to voice her opinion on each and every issue even if it is politically motivated.
Absolutely rubbish headlines just so you get your clicks. She said nothing less of being supportive and she is not someone who ducks issues. There r big male celebs who have ducked answering on issues just because it did not concern them. Go pick on them before picking on a powerhouse like priyanka.
I am a little confused. Still. What cause do you want Priyanka Chopra to lend her voice to? What is Padmavati’s ’cause’? The way I see it – it is to get itself a theatre release. That is what every film aspires to. Who is stopping it? Some not-so-intelligent Mobs. Now, who is supposed to control these mobs? The cops. Who do the cops listen to? Politicians. She pointed you to where your answer is. As for censorship and state of this nation. Both Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, not to mention actresses like Vidya Balan, Swara Bhaskar, Richa Chaddha, Deepika Padukone herself have spoken about it. As has Anurag Kashyap. What status quo did that change? Life became miserable for them briefly and then they decided they will not speak anymore. The only ppl who should be asked to do something abt this is Prasoon Joshi, the I&B minister, the Home Minister, Rajasthan authorities, cops. Chopra adding to this is neither fearless nor effective. Do we want to hear speeches or get that movie released? What’s the ’cause’?
As pre teens, we grew up reading Shobha Rajadhyakhsha’s Stardust. Those were the We are just good friends days. The one word I learnt from Bollywood was ” diplomat”.
With all due respect, I’d like to disagree with the previous two comments. The writer is no way trying to draw blood or foment trouble. She is simply trying to point out that what was otherwise a very well-received and well put-together lecture there was the potential to achieve more.
It is easy for anyone to ask of others to be fearless and fierce. But to demonstrate that through your own actions, in this case, would have made a strong call to action, even stronger.
Why, indeed, would you not ask politicians, this question? Who is responsible for law & order? Is it the actors or director? Who is answerable when an actress is threatened with a beheading? Fellow actresses? That’s like asking questions of victims. It is very easy to listen to Hollywood and expect same of Indian actors. Is the Indian police system thorough enough to protect anyone? Under whose protection are people issuing threats to Padmavati? Have you as reporters, asked the Rajasthan CM, her views on Padmavati? Its a woman in charge, remember? Or is feminism the mantle to be borne by Bollywood only?
Not sure why you are so convinced her talk was anything less than forceful and inspiring. PC is not a name-to-mud dragger so if you want cheap headlines, that is where she disappoints. As for ducking Padmavati issue, she already had voiced she stood with SLB, Deepika and the rest of cast. Stop drawing blood pls.