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Anjali Patil: Bias towards fair skin is undeniably there in the film industry
Actor Anjali Patil says though society claims to have become civilised, its obsession with physical appearance and skin colour is still prevalent.
Recently, Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s comment on racism in Bollywood triggered a debate of sorts. The actor had reacted to Babumoshai Bandookbaaz casting director Sanjay Chouhan’s comment that it would’ve looked “weird” had they cast anyone “fair and handsome” opposite Nawaz. Now, actor Anjali Patil, of Finding Fanny (2014) fame, says that “bias towards fair skin is undeniably there”.
“Though the Indian skin colour is considered exotic outside the country, within India, I guess, it’s not that much in demand,” says Anjali, who will next be seen in the Rajkummar Rao-starrer, Newton.
The actor feels that these problems don’t just pertain to the film industry, there are issues with society as a whole. “Though we claim to be a civilised society, such things are still there. Physical appearance and skin colour are given importance too. Even the market is infested with products that help one in getting lighter skin tones. Everything together, it makes me sad,” says Anjali.
However, when asked if she herself has ever faced bias while working in both Bollywood and south Indian film industry, Anjali dodged the question. On how she deals with it in general, the actor shares that she tries to not pay much attention to such things. “Talent and hard work have no alternative. So, without thinking about such things, I concentrate on my work and let my work do the talking,” she says.
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