Bollywood’s twin international faces, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone, painted the MET Gala red as they took to its carpet dramatically, looking more latinas than Indians. PC chose a Ralph lauren strapless velvet gown paired with a golden knight headgear while Deepika kept it more sedate with her red one-off shoulder and thigh-slit Prabal Gurung gown. The Nepalese designer, endorsed by Michelle Obama, has enriched the list of sub-continental exports to US popular culture. Needless to say both women kept to the smouldering look that caters to a vast arc of Hispanic, South Asian and Southeast Asian diaspora rather than making individualist statements.
Soon some of our other top actresses will be stepping out at Cannes as part of becoming global cosmetic icons. But we find that category a tad too limiting for both these actresses, who have shaped their art with complexity and depth over the years but who have ended up being treated as a window dressing. Of the two, PC has done a tad better with a lead role in Quantico but that show is currently rated lowest in its band on ABC and actually does not do much justice to her versatile range than playing the sexy avenger. Deepika, too, is looking to star in another edition of the Xander Cage franchise in a similar mould. Their Hollywood sprinkle has done little to push the envelope of the larger acceptance of out and out Indian characters. Till that happens, these two talented women will continue to be divas before actors.