Yami Gautam on definition of beauty

Bollywood actress Yami Gautam, who has been associated with a popular fairness cream brand, says she is happy that the definition of beauty has evolved with time, and having a fair complexion is certainly not a parameter of beauty anymore.

Yami's upcoming film 'Bala,' which also features Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar, addresses the topic of beauty, as the lead characters are a young man suffering from premature balding and a young woman of dark complexion.

Considering the fact that Yami is the face of a popular fairness cream that promotes colourism, how does she look at the constant criticism that darkskinned women face in India? Does she take a stand as a celebrity?

Yami replied: "Social media and films have only highlighted what exists around us over the ages. It is the reason those ad-films were made back then. The definition of beauty was such back then, that having a fair complexion was important for a girl to get a good groom or a good job.

I am so glad that times have changed, and a dialogue has started on the definition of beauty."Starting out as a model, Yami's career graph soared after her 2012 debut film, 'Vicky Donor.'

Sharing a story on how she has always tried not to think of fairness as a parameter of beauty and self-confidence, the actress said: "I was working as a model with the brand before 'Vicky Donor' released. After the success of the film, they decided to sign me as a brand ambassador.

That is when I had a conversation with the brand (officials), that it was time we sold the product differently. There should not be any pre-requisite of beauty. It should be an individual's choice to look fair, tanned or feel happy with the complexion she is born with. It should not be forced upon them."

She said advertisements showing "that people should feel unhappy for not having a fair complexion were wrong". "Nowadays in ads we don't talk about fairness, but glowing skin. That is how brands should evolve," she added.

Directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Dinesh Vijan, 'Bala' has created a buzz not only for its National Award-winning star Ayushmann Khurrana, but also for its unusual subject. Yami believes the film is going to start a conversation on a larger topic.