New Delhi: Bollywood star Deepika Padukone faced heavy backlash on social media after appearing in a commercial for Experience Abu Dhabi, under the Department of Culture and Tourism, wearing what many users mistakenly identified as ‘hijab.’
However, the garment Padukone wore in the ad is actually an abaya.
Right-wing social media users said her act of wearing the ‘hijab’ contradicted her appearance at the 2015 “My Choice” video, where she advocated women’s freedom to live, dress and love on their own terms. Many seemingly religious fundamentalist handles on X targeted her by calling her a “fake feminist” and accused her of not promoting her “own religion or teerth sthal (holy places).”
Padukone recently joined her husband and actor Ranveer Singh as the regional brand ambassador of Experience Abu Dhabi.
As an announcement, the Abu Dhabi tourism authorities released an advertisement, titled ‘Mera Sukoon’, in which Padukone is spotted wearing a red-coloured outfit that covers her body, except her face and hands.
The video shows the couple exploring Abu Dhabi and Singh introducing Padukone to some of his favourite spots in the city. In one sequence, the couple is at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which apparently hurt the sentiments of some users on social media.
The one-minute commercial, released two days ago, has garnered nearly 5 million views on YouTube.
Difference between hijab and abaya?
Both hijab and abaya are primarily worn by Muslim women, but they are not the same thing.
Research scholar Gulbahar Shah said that hijab is just a head covering, while abaya is a head wrap, which comes with a gown to cover the body. Sometimes, it even has a naqab, which too depends on the woman’s choice.
“What Alia Bhatt wore in Gully Boy was a hijab,” Shah said, underlining that hijab covers the head and the neck. It does not cover the rest of the body.
Notably, it is mandatory for women, Muslim or not, to wear an abaya when visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
“Women can select any type of women attire, provided that they are loose-fitting until the ankles and have sleeves that go all the way to the wrists. Full hair coverage is also necessary while avoiding transparent, tight-fitting or revealing attire,” reads the official website of the mosque.
But, this is not the first time Padukone has landed in trouble for her sartorial choices.
In 2023, her song “Besharam Rang” from Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pathaan led to widespread outrage on social media. The right-wing groups claimed the actress’ saffron swimsuit insulted Hindu sentiments.
(Edited by Prashant)