In a bold stance against online hate, Suhana Khan, daughter of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, fiercely responded to an offensive remark labeling her as ‘Kaali Chudail’ (Black Witch) by a user. The incident sheds light on the persistent issue of cyberbullying faced by public figures and highlights the younger generation’s determination to confront such negativity head-on. Suhana’s strong reaction adds to the ongoing conversation about the impact of social media and the need for a more respectful online discourse.
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Suhana is sanwli, said Shah Rukh Khan!
Suhana has faced an overwhelming amount of judgment even before making her movie debut, primarily due to her father’s public figure status and her own visibility in the public eye. People have been unkindly critical of her appearance, revealing the deep-rooted nature of colorism in our society. Even her father, known for appearing in fairness cream ads, has made controversial statements about Suhana’s skin color.
Shah Rukh in an interview gave statement, “I’ll be honest, my daughter is sanwli (dusky), but she’s the most beautiful girl in the world”? The issue lies in the use of “but,” which implies the idea that someone with dark skin is considered unattractive unless explicitly stated otherwise. This contrasts with the commonly-used statement, “Kitni sundar gori-chitti hai?” where fair skin is automatically associated with beauty in the desi context, while dark skin is default labeled as unattractive based on this logic.
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For an extended period, Bollywood has grappled with the issue of labeling dark-skinned women as “unconventional” in appearance, even though dark skin is the prevalent norm in India. Despite this reality, the proportion of representation of dark skin on screen compared to its prevalence in real life is significantly imbalanced. There is a crucial need for more actresses resembling Suhana, ensuring that young Indian girls, observing her, encounter an image of beauty and glamour that transcends the conventional white and eurocentric standards.
Suhana Khan or Kaali Chudail??
Suhana Khan’s recent Instagram post has stirred up social media, revealing the unattractive side of Indian society. Comments like “kaali chudail” have been posted under her photos, criticizing her dark skin as if it were a negative trait, and some even went to the extent of labeling her as ugly. Even Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter is not spared from bullying based on her skin tone in India, highlighting the unfortunate reality of our society.
On Instagram, Suhana shared screenshots of insulting comments she received about her dark skin, accompanied by a message addressing societal standards. She expressed regret that social media, Indian matchmaking, or even one’s own family might convince individuals that beauty is defined solely by specific physical attributes. The post includes sarcastic responses to the rude comments, highlighting the absurdity of such superficial judgments.