In a continuing debate, the Times of India (TOI) came out with a response on Monday to Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone's criticism of the media group's decision to zoom in on her cleavage.
The Finding Fanny actor, who is known for her calm and composed nature, had lashed out at TOI on Facebook saying "a character may demand that I be clothed from head to toe or be completely naked, and it will be my choice as an actor whether or not I take either. Understand that this is a ROLE and not REAL, and it is my job to portray whatever character I choose to play convincingly."
The actor also tweeted:
In response to her Facebook post, where she states that her issue is the "objectification of a real person", TOI in an unapologetic article said: "Deepika, we accept your reel vs real argument, but what about all the times, and there have been many, when you have flaunted your body off screen — while dancing on stage, posing for magazine covers, or doing photo ops at movie promotional functions? What 'role' do you play there? So why the hypocrisy?"
In an attempt to justify its decision, TOI added: "What's equally hypocritical is that several media outlets have freely displayed Deepika's cleavage even as they sounded all outraged on her behalf. Surely they could have reported the story without those pictures?"
While admitting that the video's headline "OMG: Deepika Padukone's cleavage show" could have been better, TOI said the online world was very "chaotic and cluttered" and sensational headlines were far from uncommon.
With no apparent apology from the publication, the article further stated: "It's not as if the pictures were shot with hidden cameras, or that someone sneaked into her home, invaded her privacy, and took those pictures without her knowledge/permission."
In response to the ongoing tussle, many celebrities and fans took to Twitter to share their views with #IStandWithDeepikaPadukone trending worldwide:
