In this file photo taken on April 25, 2018 Indian Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan (L), Shikha Talsania (2L), Sonam Kapoor and Swara Bhaskar pose for a photograph during a promotional event for the forthcoming Hindi film ‘Veere Di Wedding’, in Mumbai.
Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker has hit back at online trolls who criticised her for a masturbation scene in a film dubbed India’s answer to “Sex and the City” that is proving a hit worldwide. “Veere Di Wedding”, meaning “Friend’s Wedding” in English, has caused a stir on social media for its portrayal of women’s sexuality – a taboo subject in patriarchal, socially conservative India.
In this file photo taken on April 25, 2018 Indian Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan (L), Shikha Talsania (2L), Sonam Kapoor and Swara Bhaskar pose for a photograph during a promotional event for the forthcoming Hindi film ‘Veere Di Wedding’, in Mumbai.
Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker has hit back at online trolls who criticised her for a masturbation scene in a film dubbed India’s answer to “Sex and the City” that is proving a hit worldwide. “Veere Di Wedding”, meaning “Friend’s Wedding” in English, has caused a stir on social media for its portrayal of women’s sexuality – a taboo subject in patriarchal, socially conservative India.
In Bollywood news, Swara Bhaskar has hit back at a torrent of online abuse over a masturbation scene in a film dubbed India’s answer to Sex and the City.
Veere Di Wedding, meaning “Friend’s Wedding” in English, has caused a stir on social media for its portrayal of female sexuality – a taboo subject in patriarchal, socially conservative India.
The Hindi-language movie has raked in $7.8 million in India since its June 1 release, according to Box Office India, and is in the top 10 in Britain, Australia and New Zealand.
The film, also starring Kareena Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor and Shikha Talsania and which was produced by a woman, centres on four female friends and their attitudes towards sex, love and marriage.
Bollywood news: Veere Di Wedding flusters India
Many critics have praised the film as a powerful statement about female empowerment but others have accused it of having a shallow plotline.
In one scene the husband of the character played by Bhaskar walks in on his wife masturbating with a vibrator.
Bhaskar has received a flood of negative comments online – including vicious personal attacks – but has defended the film and her role in it. Bhasker wrote in one tweet:
“In a culture that largely silences or ignores or shames female sexuality showing a girl gratifying herself in a film in a non-judgemental way is empowering.”
“It’s okay to do something privately and not tell your parents about it. It’s called discretion. Do u describe your morning shit to your parents when they ask you what u did when you woke up? #logic.”
Bhaskar has also received an outpouring of support from fans. Twitter user Hannah Pillai wrote:
“I sometimes feel like giving @ReallySwara a hug and a truck full of chocolate. She deserves to get a day off from uninformed people trying to pull her down for every word she says and every role she plays.”
Critics have likened the film to an Indian version of Sex and the City, the hit US television series that also portrays four friends as they navigate love and sex in New York.
