I was just reading this article on the success of Ayushmann Khurrana's latest outing 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha' with newcomer Bhumi Pednekar. And to say the least, I was thrilled! For the first time in years, Bollywood has whole-heartedly accepted a plus size heroine! I was sure this movie is going to hit the bull's eye when I saw the trailer sometime back.
We Indian women have been practically killing ourselves to fit in with the norms set in by the west…although a size zero doesn't feature anywhere on our DNA! Youngsters starve themselves and go to endless fitness routines to gyms that are simply milking the opportunity! Actually, it's not about fitness anymore. Or maybe fitness has translated to 'thinness' somewhere along the way. As in, if you're thin, you're fit. It doesn't matter if you look malnourished and your bones show like you haven't had a square meal in 10 days! You're thin, you're fit, and you're beautiful.
According to our very judgemental Indian society, fat people are wrong at several levels, you see. They have no fear of what society will say ("Hauu! She's so fat! Looks like a cow!")….they will surely be suffering from obesity related diseases ("Look at her!!! So fat! I'm sure she has diabetes/cholesterol/oedema/hyperthyroidism/malaria/cancer/something that will kill her soon")…. they can't even walk fast…..they can't wear any attractive clothes…..they will look like a tragedy next to their spouse, that is if ever they do find one, which is again a very bleak chance as nobody wants to date/marry a fat person!
We Indian women have been practically killing ourselves to fit in with the norms set in by the west…although a size zero doesn't feature anywhere on our DNA! Youngsters starve themselves and go to endless fitness routines to gyms that are simply milking the opportunity! Actually, it's not about fitness anymore. Or maybe fitness has translated to 'thinness' somewhere along the way. As in, if you're thin, you're fit. It doesn't matter if you look malnourished and your bones show like you haven't had a square meal in 10 days! You're thin, you're fit, and you're beautiful.
Well you know what?
DUH!
From time immemorial, Indian women have been depicted to be epitomes of feminine beauty…curvaceous, voluptuous, full-bodied women. I wonder when the notion of looking like an elf began to look attractive. Look at our ancient sculptures. Do they look malnourished? No. Do they look size zero? No. Did they have any dearth of men? Not at all….at least if the Khajuraho sculptures are anything to go by! :P *wink*wink*
There is nothing 'wrong' in being curvy. I am curvy, yes. And till date, I have never once felt uncomfortable in carrying myself. True there are some of these photographs that are clicked at the most inappropriate times from the most unsuitable angles that make me wonder if I look bigger than the state of Madhya Pradesh! :P But otherwise, I think I'm okay. Very okay, in fact! :D
I'm glad the outlook of Indian cinema towards the idea of feminine beauty is slowly changing. More women with oodles of oomph are gracing the screen. Actresses like Vidya Balan, Huma Qureishi, Konkona Sen-Sharma have all broken the stereotype and carved a niche for themselves in an industry otherwise ruled by women who look as though they would break like a twig any minute.
I agree it isn't healthy to look/be enormous ( The 'We're sorry ma'am! But the airline seats just won't fit your frame!' kinda enormous, y'know). But being a little plump is actually pretty and quite attractive. A friend once told me, 'A woman should have enough flesh in the right places. I wouldn't really dig the idea of hugging my girl and my hands reaching all the way up to my biceps!' LOL :D
On a closing note, watch this amazing video that speaks a thousand words.
Here's to us…here's to womanhood! Woohoo! \m/
