Deepika Padukone has become the new brand ambassador for Neutrogena Fine Fairness Cream. According to Deepika, "it’s not about using a product and suddenly becoming fair. The fairness creams are used to even out your skin tone and protect your skin from pigmentation due to harsh sunlight."
Fairness creams are popular in India where a light-colored complexion is often seen as the highest beauty standard, and ads for them are as ubiquitous as those for makeup or shampoo. Some stars have taken a stand against endorsing such products, most notably Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, as they believe that fairness creams help perpetuate discrimination against those with darker complexions. Some fairness creams are little more than bleaching agents, and have been known to cause damage to the skin.
I say shame on Deepika. Surely her natural beauty could be better put to use endorsing less offensive products?
Has Sonam Kapoor lost her marbles? She's just turned down a chance to work with Zoya Akhtar, the critically-acclaimed debut director of Luck By Chance. Zoya's second film follows a to-die-for cast which includes Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, and Abhay Deol as they roadtrip through Spain.
After her debut in Saawariya and her adorable and well-played turn in Delhi 6, has Sonam decided to only do commercial films? Let's hope she changes her mind--any semi-attractive Barbie doll can star in a few Bollywood hits, but this is Sonam's chance to claim some ground in the growing success of India's independent cinema scene.
A R Rahman Gets Two Grammy Nominations
Tune in January 31st to find out if A R Rahman's Slumdog Millionaire momentum can carry him to two Grammy Awards! The Jai Ho-wallah is nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media and Best Song Written for Motion picture, Television or Other Visual Media. Best of luck maestro!
