Bollywood reacts violently to Mallika Sherawat's anti-India statements at Cannes

Mallika Sherawat rubbed the emotions of Indians wrongly when she referred to India as regressive and no country for women. The comments have miffed many women performers in the entertainment industry. Let’s hear the reactions of some of them… Pooja Bhatt: “It is said that we do not see the world as it is, but as we are. While there are pockets of India that are way more regressive than even Afghanistan, there is another India that is way more progressive than Europe or America. India is too complex a nation to be reduced to a blurb. At the same time it is also a nation that permits everyone to have an opinion, no matter how banal or profound.” Khushboo: “As a woman and a proud of my country I find her statements very harsh. Her comments project my India in a very bad light to the outside world. We do have our flaws. But which country doesn’t? A child was flushed down a toilet in China recently. Could society get any more regressive than that? Mallika is an Indian. She has the freedom to speak her mind. That shows how progressive we are.” Saroj Khan: “No comments. I am an Indian.” Kalki Koechlin: “She’s right! We’re banning mannequins displaying lingerie.” Amrita Puri: “I think the context in which Mallika spoke was ridiculous. She made it sound like she is the only progressive actor in this country. It’s a shame that she was given a platform where she presented such a false and unintelligent point of view.” Kalpana Lajmi: “Well...looking at the persistent ill-treatment of women cutting across caste, class, rural and urban barriers, Mallika is right. However she is herself a major contributing factor in the regressive image of women with her flaky meaningless portrayal. Improve yourself then expect the world around you to improve.” Shibani Kashyap: “Mallika Sherawat shouldn’t be talking against her country. It shows her lack of empathy with her roots and an absence of loyalty to the country that has given her a name fame and stardom. Rather than bitching about India why doesn’t she work towards the safety of women in India?” Tapsee Pannu: “I don’t want to waste my time and energy commenting on the comments of such people, I am proud to be a woman born in India.” Tannishta Chatterjee: “The status of women is no different in other countries. The expressions and manifestations are different. The cosmetic pressure on women comes from the West. In the US being a woman president was made into such a big deal.” Diya Mirza: “Honestly, I believe India is a paradox and for many women in our country the benefits of progressive thought, equal opportunities and a level playing-field are denied. There have been times when I’ve been deeply disturbed about many issues that trouble women in India. Having said that, I think it’s unfair to make a sweeping statement that encompasses all women. Such a rash generalization undermines the very voices that strive to make India a better place for women. Instead of being pessimistic we should all make a conscious effort to strengthen those voices thereby further empowering women.” Richa Chadha: “Oh, that explains why she has moved to LA...isn’t that were she lives now? I saw her interview and found it typical of a Colonial prejudice, replete with a gora accent and all. Yes, India has regressive elements that result in rapes, female foeticides and a gender bias. But India is also a country where women choose to wear and say what they want. It has Indira Gandhi, Indra Nooyi and Medha Patkar. And yes, we also have space for MallikaSherawat. It is uncool for an Indian woman to go abroad and speak ill of our country. We have problems, yes. But we are fighting them. And we will defeat them. Any by the way, Devika Rani smooched on screen in the 1930s and Sharmila Tagore wore a bikini in the 1960s.Go google, Mallika.” Minissha Lamba: “Maybe she said it in a moment of bravado. I consider myself lucky to be a woman in India. There is much hope and much to look forward to. And I don’t need to run away from the problems.” Dolly Ahluwalia: “If she feels so strong against this country, why has she tolerated India for so long? She is forgetting her identity as a woman is due to this country. I am proud to be an Indian woman and to represent my country at international forums.” Gauahar Khan: “If she really feels this way I feel sorry for her regressive thoughts. Indian women have excelled in every field and in every part of the world. I wish her a great life somewhere outside India that she finds non-regressive.” Raakhee Gulzar: “Poor thing. She tried every trick, yet made no impact. If she says we’re regressive then she must leave , find herself a more suitable place of her choice. Maybe a nudist’s colony? Divya Dutta: “Wonder why she said what she did! Isn’t she undermining all the Indian women achievers who’ve been given great opportunities by this country? She got her fame here .Women in this country are a heady blend of tradition, grace and dignity .They are on a par with their sisters in any part of the world. I am proud to be an Indian woman.” Alisha Chinai: “Sad, but very true.” Hema Malini: “Mallika should not have forgotten that this country has given her and so many other women before and after her ample opportunity to grow. Speaking personally I’ve never felt disadvantaged as a woman in India. Of course there are crimes and violence against women. But which country is entirely safe for women? Instead of badmouthing us at an international gathering Mallika should join hands with other women who are working towards improving the status of under-privileged women.” Lilette Dubey: “We live in a democracy. Women in India are in some ways freer than in other countries, especially in comparison with some of our neighbours. But to be honest, there are parts of India where women live wretched lives, where they are a victim of gender bias and tradition is a pretext for oppression and regressive values. But Mallika’s observations should not be taken that seriously.” Reema Kagti: “Mallika is totally right.” Tejaswini Kolhapure: “I don’t think we are a regressive society. Devika Rani was the first to kiss on screen. Sharmila Tagore and Parveen Babi wore bathing costumes in the 1960s and 70s.We are taking baby steps in the right direction. I am a woman and I am definitely not depressed being in India.