Colorism is a major and serious issue still plaguing the world. Anyone who doesn’t fit the Eurocentric beauty standards is treated as an inferior. This issue, naturally, becomes even more prevalent in the entertainment industry where an artist’s looks are considered as most important.
Numerous dark-skinned artists have come forward over the years to share their experiences of being mistreated by their industries only due to their skin color. Colorism not only hindered the careers of many but also objected them to vile and disgusting comments on social media.
Pakistan is no stranger to this problem either. Fortunately, in this age of awareness, these grievances are being heard by many and many are trying to fight them.
It is just as bad across the border, with India trying to fight this issue as well. Bollywood, and now Hollywood, superstar Priyanka Chopra has talked about the colorism she has faced on multiple occasions. But recently, Sonam Bajwa shared how colorism started at home for her and then also bled into her career in Punjabi films.
Let’s bring some light now to some cases of this in our own entertainment industry.
Parizaad
Parizaad, while lauded by critics, did face considerable backlash for its poor attempt at a progressive story. The irony of hiring a light-skinned actor and making him do brownface for a role which could’ve been an opportunity for a dark-skinned actor was completely lost on HUM TV.
Sadly, the general audience didn’t seem to care as much, making the show a massive hit which set a horrible precedent. In an industry where dark-skinned actors already don’t get much work, to paint light-skinned dark for their roles makes it even worse. A lot needs to be done to rectify this.
Amna Ilyas
Famous model and actress Amna Ilyas has been extremely vocal about the issue of colorism, something she has faced her entire life. In a now iconic acceptance speech for her Lux Style Award for “Best Female Model” she put down the naysayers who said she couldn’t make it in the industry due to her dark skin.
She has also been an advocate against the promotion of fairness creams.
Fairness Creams
Skin whitening products are, unfortunately, very popular in Pakistan. Many famous actors and actresses have endorsed such products. In recent years, however, we have started to see these ads get backlash from those fighting against colorism.
Superstar Mahira Khan came forward a few years ago on Twitter saying she has gotten multiple offers for fairness cream ads throughout her career but refuses to endorse them as a matter of principle.
If only more actors did the same. Zara Noor Abbas came under fire for promoting fairness creams and tried to make an illogical case that it had nothing to do with racism. Colorism stems from racism and therefore cannot be plucked out of our country so easily. But if enough people are fighting for change and are being heard, then we may find a road to betterment.
