In a continuing debate, the Times of India (TOI) responded today to Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone’s criticism of the media group’s decision to zoom in on her cleavage.
The OM Shanti OM actress lashed out at TOI on Facebook, saying, “A character may demand that I be clothed from head to toe or be completely naked, and it will be my choice as an actor whether or not I take either. Understand that this is a role and not real, and it is my job to portray whatever character I choose to play convincingly.”
In response to her Facebook post, in which she states that her issue is the “objectification of a real person,” TOI, in an unapologetic article, said: “Deepika, we accept your reel vs. real argument, but what about all the times, and there have been many, when you have flaunted your body off screen—while dancing on stage, posing for magazine covers, or doing photo ops at movie promotional functions? What ‘role’ do you play there? So why the hypocrisy?”
While admitting that the video’s headline “OMG: Deepika Padukone’s cleavage show” could have been better, TOI said the online world was very “chaotic and cluttered” and sensational headlines were far from uncommon.
The article stated, without an apology from the publication,: “It’s not as if the pictures were shot with hidden cameras or that someone sneaked into her home, invaded her privacy, and took those pictures without her knowledge/permission.”
