When Deepika Padukone Betrayed Us & Then Won Us Back!

[This is from one of my earlier blogging attempts, somewhere in 2015]: 

Last night, saw the new Kellogg’s [now old since am a very poor TV viewer] advertisement again where Deepika Padukone can be seen peddling the notion that being reed-thin, being skeletal, on the verge of becoming malnutrition-ed can make you feel special since you have a teeny-weenie waistline! I was not shocked to see this advertisement since the standards for choosing brands or endorsing promotional ideas have already dipped too low to be redeemed. Can you remember King Khan said that his skin-fairness cream played a hand in his success? However, I did not expect this from Deepika.

Still have reasons to Like Deepika Padukone but Wish She had Thought Better!

Always thought of her as someone far too sensible to just abandon her senses for a bit of easy money. But then, morals, values and consideration are not part of the celebrity business, are they? As for ladies who have taken to this advertisement seriously—please understand that a thin, bony waistline doesn’t really turn on anyone. Eat healthily and smile more to “feel special”. Her penchant for staying wafer thin is very visible. Just view the party song 'Delhi Wali Girlfriend' - her waist is literally a wafer which looks very crackable and eatable BTW!

[This is from today, i.e. February 16th, 2018]: How Deepika won us back? Deepika does not have the usual body image issues despite her confessing to almost fanatical levels of anxiety and that she took medicines for the same. Recently, perhaps after the medicinal dosage, she has started to smile and laugh in a lot more convincing, organic manner. Just look at her advertisement with Siddharth Malhotra for OPPO phones - that smile towards the end of the clip is precious. In a big way, Deepika redeemed herself by opening-up about psychological issues and that we tend to ignore them or feel very hesitant in talking about them, and this could not be truer for our Bollywood stars whose life, I feel, is fueled by physical and emotional struggles no matter how rich or well placed they are in the industry.

Alia Bhatt in 2 States: Marjaane Paundee Bhangra Desi Beat Tey

I am slowly starting to like Alia Bhatt a lot. I have seen all her releases to date and she seems to be maturing amazingly quickly. Her performance in Highway was simply amazing—that doesn’t mean she did complete justice to the role. But, considering that she is practically a greenhorn in the industry, she reacted rather well to the challenging role and delivered beyond what most folks would have expected. In 2 States, Alia Bhatt retains her subtle charm without going over the top. However, the movie isn’t well scripted despite being a novel adaptation. The cultural differences have been shown in a very typical manner, leaving little room for either Alia Bhatt or Arjun Kapoor to showcase their real potential.

Either way, Alia remains a very promising leading lady in Bollywood, quickly climbing the charts—whether she plays a south Indian or sways to desi Bhangra beats, she is here to stay, i.e. unless the Bhatt camp gets into her head. The only thing I cannot comprehend is the plain-Jane look at award ceremonies. Is this some sort of well-constructed plan not to look glamorous as trying to lead the fashion army can backfire?

Not sure but she can afford to dress-up a lot more. Also, last night, we were discussing about the alcoholism and rehabilitation that her father, Mahesh Bhatt, has gone through and how Pooja Bhatt and she must have had a hard childhood. Right now, she seems to be doing all the right things, making all the right noises but there is always this fear of the Bhatt clan members vanishing suddenly, in the most unapprised manner - am keeping my fingers crossed that Alia does not do the Bhatt trick, stays true to her trade and does not end up in the SRK camp.

Also, her dancing is restrained, unlike Shraddha Kapoor who tends to get too mechanical or even Vani Kapoor who seems to be in the middle of a dance instruction class when matching steps with her not-so-tall male counterparts.