Actor Aahana Kumra has come under backlash after she shared a post as her tribute to cricketer Jhulan Goswami’s life, where she is seen wearing dark-face makeup to look like and match the cricketer’s skin tone. “No I’m not promoting any film. This is purely a tribute to a woman I admire the most after spending time with her and learning her whole story about her journey, her hardships and her passion for the sport! (sic),” Kumra wrote in the post on Instagram as she shared her look from the film. Soon after Kumra’s post, Goswami wrote, “Great job keep it up!! (sic).”
As the post became viral, several netizens condemned Kumra’s look as being ‘offensive’ as it reiterated colour stereotypes.
i just cannot. when will they learn. this is atrocious. pic.twitter.com/Rz2d4OgNVR— Agatha Srishtie (@SrishtyRanjan) March 21, 2021
Imagine Tom cruise in the biography of Mohammad Ali wearing dark foundation ,,,, it's so offensive and— Sufi have ADHD (@sapphiccccccc) March 21, 2021
If a white actor does blackface today in hollywood, their career would come to an abrupt end. Just sayin…— AKK (@AJayAWhy) March 21, 2021
Seriously Disrespectful to the Legend — (@lonelySpartacus) March 21, 2021
@AahanaKumra brownfacing is terrible. Please take these down immediately.— captain • they/them (@jayaajayjunior) March 21, 2021
Earlier, movies like Mary Kom, Haseena Parkar were riled up in similar criticism as several people pointed out as to why the actors with similar physical features were not used and instead popular actors were cast using heavy makeup techniques to match the look.
Kumra has acted in films like Lipstick Under My Burkha and last seen in the SonyLIV original series Sandwiched Forever with Divya Seth and Kunaal Roy Kapoor.