New Delhi: Director Abhishek Chaubey’s ‘Udta Punjab’ is one of the most talked about movies of the year. The credit goes to the interesting star cast of the movie. ‘Udta Punjab’ features Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt and Diljit Dosanjh.
The makers recently released the trailer of the movie and it has garnered a lot of appreciation - be it for the story line or the look of the character, especially that of Alia Bhatt who plays the role of a Bihari migrant.
Alia’s look has left everyone stunned; however, there are some who are not pleased with the diva’s portrayal of a Bihari girl.
Shefali S Jha from Asianet Newsable.com has written an open letter to Alia Bhatt in which she has questioned the diva’s preparation and her description of a ‘Bihari’.
Here read the Open Letter…
“Dear Alia,
Just like the rest of the country, I am thrilled by the intense trailer of Udta Punjab. Shahid looks like a rockstar. The movie appears gritty and real. The music is something we’re all waiting madly for. But just one thing. I somehow could not digest your migrant Bihari character.
While others, reportedly, got ‘goose bumps’ watching you, I thought you were trying too hard to pass off as Bihari, especially considering (as you have constantly claimed yourself) that you took such great pains to lend authenticity to the role.
As a bonafide Bihari myself, I think I have the right to be absolutely blunt. So, here goes. Firstly, your treatment of the character is nothing but a concoction of stereotypes. (Trust me, this kind of stereotyping is far ahead of what even Chetan Bhagat is capable of.)
Secondly, ‘Bihari’ is not a language. People in Bihar converse in Maithili, Bhojpuri, Maghai or Angika. They don’t speak in ‘Bihari’; people who originant here are referred to as Biharis, and not their language. You actually underwent a month-long coaching to get the dialect right, and still ended up calling the language ‘Bihari’? Not good. And, by the way, ‘Ee’, ‘Ka’, ‘Kon’, ‘Chutiy***‘ is not the ‘Bihari’ language either. It’s just lazy stereotyping, something Bollywood has always excelled at.
Thirdly – and this makes me weep – the costumes and props that you claim helped you ‘nail’ the Bihari look are nothing but soiled, tattered clothes, grimy skin and messed up hair. These are not the preserve of just the state of Bihar, only the grave manifestations of poverty the world over. Is this what you think, Alia? Do you really think all Biharis are poor and look like this? Shame.”
We wonder what Alia Bhatt has to say about this open letter.
