Shilpa Shetty,Big Brother and racism
January 17, 2007
I came across this news on the news channels just yesterday even though it’s a few days old.The issue is that some people have ill-treated Shilpa Shetty who is an Indian actress and is currently doing a reality show called “Big Brother” in England/UK.The show has celebrities who have been deserted from the world and have been kept in a house where they have to do all the house activities like cleaning,cooking and they also have to do some extra tasks.The show is being aired on Channel 4.The problem now is that Shilpa is the only Indian or for that matter Asian in the show and she’s reportedly been given Rs. 3 Crores just for participating.The motive of the show is that every week,the celebrities vote one person amongst themselves out and the one who remains in the end gets all the booty.
Interestingly,none of these so called celebrities are very big celebrities.Shilpa isn’t very big in India for that matter either.Her days are gone and these days she’s busy doing some occassional dance numbers,judging dance shows and participating in reality shows.She also tried her luck in “Fear Factor India”.Anyway leaving all that aside,the whole issue seems baseless to me.It’s just that some of the people inside the house have been bullying her and calling her names.She was called “a dog” once and her name wasn’t properly pronounced by one of the celebrities.There was another one who repeatedly kept calling her “the indian”.This made Shilpa break down and cry a couple of times and with that happening,it became a whole big racism issue and since then,it’s all over blogs,news channels,newspapers,magazines..everywhere.Shilpa has suddenly become more important than the Queen of England herself! She’s earned herself quite a lot of publicity and sympathy.If the blogs on AOL are to be believed,the whole Big Brother house is divided into 2 groups i.e. the Shilpa supporters and the Anti-Shilpa’s.It’s funny but Shilpa hasn’t been such a household name in her own country i.e. India ever!
There is even a website where you can lodge complaints against the people who have abused Shilpa and now even the England police is going to investigate the issue! Channel 4 meanwhile is enjoying all the TRP’s.It’s unbelievable the way some people from England are in awe of Shilpa’s beauty and dignity.I think they should’ve seen her dancing scantily clothed in her popular item number called “UP Bihar Lootne”.And they call her sophisticated,blah! And for that matter,we have more beautiful women here in India,we even have better ones in our city if you ask me! Now,for some fun,you should really read Adam’s Eye and his views about Shilpa and her beauty.Be sure also to check out the comments given below.They all made me laugh real bad.There’s one in which someone compared Shilpa to Beyonce! That seriously deserves a round of applause.
I don’t get the whole thing.That’s exactly what the program is meant to show.We know people aren’t always compatible and fights always happen,why make it so big? All those complaining should see the Indian version of “Big Brother” called “Bigg Boss” in which all the celebs are Indians and they keep calling each other names,bitching and playing games on each other.They should really check out the behaviour of Rakhi Sawant and Cashmera Shah and then they’ll all sit at home and watch Big Brother peacefully.
The best part is that within all this hue and cry,Ms. Shetty has not made any complaint what so ever! But no,that doesn’t matter to the people who can’t stop making small things into really really big issues.The news channels are making merry thanks to this incident though.They make news about it 24/7 and recently even showed Rio Ferdinand and Theirry Henry (soccer players for Manchester United and Arsenal respectively) holding placards saying “We are still abused”.I think this will ultimately end up with a nationwide protest,all the people who abused Shilpa will be thrown out and ultimately Shilpa will win Big Brother and walk out and go shopping.Bleah! And then we’ll conveniently forget about everything and start bitching about homework and girlfriends.
Also,here’s some other bad news for us Indians: Rang De Basanti-India’s official entry to the Oscars hasn’t been selected in the final 9 but another Hindi movie called “Water” by Deepa Mehta has.Water is Canada’s official entry to the Oscars.
In the end,I’d like to specially thank Sha for letting me find Adam’s Eye.You should also read her post about this issue.
Technorati Tags: ShilpaShetty, BigBrother, Racism
January 17, 2007 at 1:24 pm
They might finally do something about it. Check out the update on my post.
January 17, 2007 at 11:17 pm
And the situation gets worse.
January 18, 2007 at 4:31 pm
When you show every waking hours of a persons life you are bound to get something you don’t like. Looks like the issue has been overblown.
January 19, 2007 at 10:25 am
reality shows tend to get out of hand sometimes… but they get ratings so obviously people approve.
January 20, 2007 at 8:39 am
So Shilpa is a “…HAS BEEN” lol.
January 20, 2007 at 8:57 am
So do you guys have any dirt on Shilpa, since she’s a has been?
January 20, 2007 at 3:25 pm
aged AT LEAST 31, as an Indian, she is not married: what does it tell you?
January 20, 2007 at 3:28 pm
I like this article thanks for posting. It’s not an overreaction to the so called ‘racism’ I had to read over the past few days.
What do the people in India think about this issue? Do you not think this whole thing has been blown out of proportion? I honestly did not see any sort of racism in any of the housemate’s behaviour.
The arguments started partly because Shilpa is very controlling. She wanted everything done her way. Once I heard her say ‘when I walk into a room, everyone stands up’. Why did she have to say that? She also said she has servants which is pretty much a crime here. But the bullying was unacceptable. Racism is not the word for it. Yes, it was probably a cultural clash, but racism it was not. Do not tell me that people in India do not appose of anything from other cultures.
Big Brother on purpose brought in Shilpa and a couple of other celebs from other countries. That is why the news went global. The show was dying and so the ratings needed a boost.
January 20, 2007 at 3:51 pm
All the fingers are not same……. even you can see some people supporting to Shilpa issue in bigbrother…why there is no racism in India?
January 20, 2007 at 4:25 pm
@Rish: Sadly, the producers are shamelessly patting themselves on the back for the boosting. They don’t care about their sponsor being taken out since they pretty much made the money back when the public called in to evict Jade.
The servent thing she said was because Jade asked her. Jade admitted it last night that she asked Shilpa if they had servents and she said yes. I have to agree with you, I doubt it was racsim, just girl gossiping and, they only kicked up a fuss this series because they were picking on someone from abroad. On the last one, Jodie Marsh was being bullied by Barrymore and no one said anything, everyone wanted her out if I recall clearly.
January 20, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Posted 20-01-07 12:59 Hide Post
i’m still behind jade! i dont think shes a racist at all! arguein with someone from a different race doesnt make u a racist at all! this has all been blown out of proportion by the pres n media! now jade n shilpa have sorted things out its still all up in the air because of the way its being percieved! i think its very wrong to be called a racist just because you dont get along with someone who happens to come form a different background! what is the world comin too!!
I’m still behind u jade!
January 20, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Sad sad people, with nothing better to do than to look up to a telentless, unintelligent bully. Its people like Jade and you lot that have ruined this country.
January 20, 2007 at 6:59 pm
@Joanna: I don’t agree with the way Jade acted, but then again the majority of the country were against her antics and even she said she was disgusted at the way she behaved. I think it was good she didn’t try to justify herself..for how can you justify behaviour like that? I don’t look up to her, and to say that people like us have ruined it when some of us are not even from here is just a tad insulting. Not to take it out on you. I’m sorry if that was offensive.
@Bex: I agree, I don’t think arguing with some one from a different race is racism, but when you pick on their accents, mock their cooking and then tell them to f off home to the slums, then yes that is just a tad racist. I believe her when she says she’s not a racist but that is bullying from the first degree and look what impression it gives of this country.
January 20, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I’m English living in England + have been watching CBB. I have seen most of the live streaming + the racism started well over a week ago. The racists have constantly made snide comments about Shilpa’s style of cooking but made no offer to do any themselves. They have used every opportunity to pick on her cultural differences + ‘Indianess’ + acted upon this to make her feel uncomfortable. I view this to be racial harrassment + indeed is as outlined in our Race Relations Act on Racial harrassment. I have complained to our broadcasting watchdog ‘OFCOM’ + the cheif executive of Channel 4 after his appalling press conference. I was not overly keen on Shilpa Shetty when she arrived in the house because I felt her to be a little snobbish but I have watched this + her response + felt very bad about what has happened. She has gone up in my estimation due to her calmness + her trying to get her head around this + lack of bitterness. I want her + your citizens to know that not all people in the UK (+ women of a lower economic class, like myself) are like this. I am well educated but not on the high economic ladder here; there are many of us who are such but not ignorant bigots.
January 20, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Jade is not a spokesperson for the rest of the UK, she and her cronies in the coven, are all jealous of Shilpa’s beauty, and yes she is beautiful, just because you don’t think she is means nothing at all, a lot of people can see she has manners and self respect, where Jade and the coven fall flat on their faces. so what if Shilpa’s career is long gone, that isn’t the point, she was Bullied by the housemates, wether it was racism or not, it doesn’t hide the fact that she was bullied.
anyway, Shilpa has now got a fanbase in the UK that is not only the Asian community but all different race’s and religions which is what the UK is all about.
dOc
January 20, 2007 at 10:29 pm
~applauds for Ruth and Mad~
January 20, 2007 at 10:30 pm
@Joanna. Who said we look up to Jade. But to label her something she is not is not what she deserves.
January 21, 2007 at 3:31 am
A stuck up muff diver.
January 21, 2007 at 6:43 am
Shelpa Shitty… she’s so darn pretty :D
January 22, 2007 at 5:12 am
I don’t think the issue here is whether she is a big star or not. She is in her own right beautiful and has handled the whole situation in a very calm manner, something that is very hard to do when your identity is questioned. When put in the spot it is very tempting to turn it into a name-calling tiff.
The other point where I disagree is the comparison to the India version. This show is created for drama, I mean would people really be watching if they were all one big happy family? I don’t think so. The criticism in the Brit version is not because of the drama but more because the comments of some of the people (Jade, Jackiey) could easily be interpreted as racist. Is it really racist? I don’t know, it really depends on how sensitive you are. I don’t think being labelled by one’s heritage is offensive, but being looked down for it is very much so.
January 22, 2007 at 12:50 pm
This is written by one of the contestents on the show who was evicted about a week ago:
http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/carolemalone/
Read the last paragraph:
‘f CBB has sparked a international row about racism perhaps the place we should next look to is India itself – where the caste system is a damn sight more racist than anything that happens on these shores.’
January 24, 2007 at 2:50 pm
I disagree with you, ‘ish’. Just because you think some actresses are prettier than Shilpa Shetty, that doesn’t mean that she deserves to be bullied. Also, she is beautiful in her own way, as somebody quite rightfully said. So what if she is not in the top 10 Bollywood stars? She is still a star in her own right. Jade Goody is only famous because she appreared on a reality show.
And, Jade IS a bully. So many people have come forward to say that she is a bully, including white people. She is most definitely a ill-mannered, disrespectful, uneducated chav!!
January 25, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Yes Jeanne. She is a bully. I don’t think she is a racist though. I am so frustrated that it was the racism that made the headlines, not the bullying.
I think Shilpa knows what racism is far better than we do in the UK. There is still alot of discrimination in India. It’s all about being fair, hense you have ‘fair and lovely’flying of the shelves. It is often the case that fair skinned people have a higher position in society. Lets work to do something about that rather than cry racism over Jade saying ‘Shilpa poppodom’ or ‘Shilpa should spend the day in the slums’. Racism in India is far worst.
Often those who bully are very insecure inside. Jade hasn’t had a very good childhood and was bullied herself. But I suppose that is no excuse.
January 29, 2007 at 6:38 am
okie those were prophetic words, the whole thing did become a media circus and she did win !
January 29, 2007 at 8:05 am
After Gordon Brown’s grovelling are we now going to have prominent Indian politicians apologising to Britain for the rife sexism, homophobia and yes, racism that exists over there?
January 29, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Living in South Africa, in -any- situation, if I was reffered to as “The Indian” by someone of another race…I would find that very offensive. And it is truly offensive when one -decides- to mispronounce someones name. Yes you can be nice and help them pronounce it but just a lack of trying is downright -rude-. Anybody could call someone a dog true, that wouldn’t make you a racist no. But truly, referring to someone as “The Indian”? That is racism without doubt. And as far as her “grace” and “beauty” and what not…I think that’s hardly a concern of any importance.
January 31, 2007 at 3:02 am
well it’s an article beautifully written, but there is something that i would like to underline. which is the fact that you obviously don’t like shilpa and you would be objective if it matters a celebrity of whom your a fan, let me tell you that am not indian, am a morrocan and i guess that shilpa is a very good actress, and i can’t really tell why she is not aprreciated in the factory but her skills are undeniable otherwise we might not know about her at all she can do what the other actresses do after all they are not making the impossible come true, and for me and for many others shilpa is a very gorgeous woman even more beautiful than beyonce “what is beyonce without all the make up and the sexy gowns” besides i think that shilpa is a classy. now for the program i don’t know i haven’t seen it to tell whether it’s a matter of racism or not but just want to state my opinion about her as woman. one last thing i hope you excuse my awkward english ;)
February 8, 2007 at 11:48 am
well… i’ll go for shilpa.some people taking over the world but they can’t fix the racial problem isn’t it strange.shilpa deserves to get respect because she’s a good actress.i feel realy bad for shilpa.i think if i m not at mistake she got more respect in pakistan more than the united kingdom.i liked her not because she’s a good actress but she’s a good human being.she showed respect to pakistani flag our people and offcourse we’ll go for shilpa.i know there is 60 year old enmity between the pakistan india but whatever they don with shilpa we realy dont like that and that was so stupidity.every time they insult the asian people.i think it’s the time to empower asia.congratulations to shilpa to won the race
February 9, 2007 at 12:15 pm
I will say shilpa have been very patient and handled the situation in a very matured way….. she is a very nice lady…..she had kept the indian culture of being courtious and not being impulsive on the show……
i think she deserved the tittle of the winner!!!!
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February 13, 2007 at 8:47 pm
I cant stand this poor me act from Shilpha, she was unliked in the house because she was annoying and up herself. Stupid cow.
February 16, 2007 at 5:27 am
Kat, did you go to the same school as Jade?both of you sound so alike-rude!!Did you watch bb with your eyes close. To tell you the truth l didn’t like Shilpa at all at the beginning but the more l see her the more l learn about her,not only because she is beautiful,have class,good manner,cook for almost everyone(l can tell you is not easy as l cook for four everyday and l find it hard)doesn’t bitch, a true lady.By less than half way through bb l really really like her,l turn on the live showing most of the time just to watch her.l was very upset how Jo and Dan behave,l actually like them at the start and want Jo to won,as l always like her singing.l couldn’t believe how the three girls can be so horrible to Shilpa,First thing they wokeup just start to bitch,and Jack brings them all a cup of tea(because they a so lazy to make it)They will say horrible things about Shilpa for a long time, then they go and have breakfast,after eating,they don’t wash their bowls etc. then they start to bitch about Shilpa again, they can go on all day,and when ever Shilpa walk pass they all give her horrible ,dirty look or whisper to themself and laugh out loud when ever Shilpa was around.l think they really made her stuffer so much.l also disgree they say she is very controlling, is because they a so lazy they don’t do anything,so Shilpa when a head and done it.l just think the votes was so right she really is a winner.and l love her.
April 26, 2007 at 10:56 am
Shelpa is playing with the vlaues of the Pak-India subcontinent because she was barrenly kissed by Richard Gerry in the AIDS awareness program. She should take care about this
May 6, 2007 at 10:08 pm
She is ugly! Have you seen her in real life. With the pictures airbrushed…the only good thing about her is her height. Indian women can be really irritating. There is racism in Britain but I can see how she provoked the British girls by being so irritating. We call them the Kali Mem Shaibs when they start putting on airs.
May 6, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Lara-Shilpa is irritating-in the way that Indian women who put on airs are irritating. She is so ugly but full of herself. I have no sympathy for her. She provoked those British girls-although those girl were also low calss.
May 6, 2007 at 10:24 pm
I do not know how these Indian actresses like Shilpa do it-so ugly and dark in real life but tries to look as white as possible in pics. She was ugly in Big Brother and that is what she looks like in real life. But I have seen beautiful women in INdia. Shilpa is not pretty unless you call going to the gym for 2 hours and being fit pretty.
July 15, 2007 at 5:38 am
Lara: l just want to tell you a are talking shit,Shilpa is not beautiful? than who is ?Jade ? or Youself?.l can’t beleive you said that ,Shilpa is one of the most beautiful woman in the world.you should better get your eyes tested.l have seen Shilpa waking up in the morning just out of her bed with no make up on in BB and l can tell you this woman is so damn stunning.If you disagree or have no seen bb ,that means your tease is diffrent from myself plus,thousands and millions of people out there,well l am sure there is alway a odd one or two about.
November 20, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Lara, just shut your stupid stinking hole!!!
oh i mean the one of ur face not between ur legs.