Page 81 - Masala E-magazine Vol 9 Issue 3 December 2017-January 2018

Amy Jackson
Amy Jackson is another British import to India. The 25-year-old is another British import to India. The 25-year-old
won a number of beauty pageants including Miss Teen World in on a number of beauty pageants including Miss Teen World in
w
2
2009. She was spotted by lm producers of Tamil period-drama 009. She was spotted by lm producers of Tamil period-drama
lm Madrasapattinam (2010). Despite having no previous acting (2010). Despite having no previous acting
e experience, she was casted for the lead role, and even went on to xperience, she was casted for the lead role, and even went on to
r
receive accolades for her performance. Amy’s career in both the eceive accolades for her performance. Amy’s career in both the
T Tamil and Telegu lm industries has taken o . With her upcoming amil and Telegu lm industries has taken o . With her upcoming
role in 2.0 alongside Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar, she is Akshay Kumar, she is
bound to make an even greater impression.
Amy is making her Hollywood debut. She will be seen
Fun Fact: Amy is making her Hollywood debut. She will be seen
as Saturn Girl, a recurring character in the superhero television
as Saturn Girl, a recurring character in the superhero television
series Supergirl.

The list does not end here. Caucasian actresses including Elli
Avram, Evelyn Sharma and Lauren Gottlieb are often seen
in various roles in Indian television and lms. This trend of
casting non-Indian actresses began in the early years of
Bollywood itself when the profession was looked down upon
by Indian society. Even when acting became respectable,
western women like Helen and Zeenat Aman were brought in
to play bold characters and dance in item songs. But times
have changed. We no longer need to look to the western world
for our actress quotient, as Indian performers are now open to
embracing such roles.

Food for Thought
Are you wondering why there are only women featured
in this list? Well, can you think of any Caucasian male
actors in Indian lms? The answer “no” seems to verify
the notion that actresses are seen more as objects of
desire. As discussed in length in Masala’s last Bollywood
feature, Unapologetically Feminist or Highly Sexist?, an
Evelyn Sharma Lauren Gottlieb actress’s role in some lms are more about glamour than
Yet, it is saddening to see that lmmakers still prefer light- substance.
skinned actresses, especially when there are thousands of
quali ed Indian women queuing up in auditions each day for Did You Know?
a chance to act. Why are these Caucasian women casted over
Indian actresses? Each of them have little or no relation to Many of our Indian leading ladies have undergone skin
India, possess no knowledge of Indian languages or culture, lightening treatments to appear fairer. The list includes
and exhibit minimal acting abilities. Despite this, they have Shilpa Shetty, Kajol, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra
successfully made a mark in the Indian lm industry and and Sridevi. Unfortunately their decision to go lighter
continue to climb up the ladder of fame and success. We think only strengthens the belief that fair really is lovely.
the answer to the question lies in our cultural and historical
context. Being white was always seen as superior and beautiful.
And being white also means you are more willing to expose.
The combination of these stereotypes may be the reason why
Caucasian women are reaching success and fame so quickly
without talent.

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