Deepika’s shocking open letter to Shobhaa De

• There is only one sign that a woman wants to have sex and that is that she says “YES”
• Why only the cleavage? If it is so much interesting then discuss the character’s cup size and leg length too

Much has been said and written about a leading newspaper's recent 'news' about Deepika Padukone's cleavage and the Bollywood actress' Twitter reaction about the same. Many came to Deepika's defence while others accused her of double standards. "Do we zoom in on the man’s 'crotch' when he makes a public appearance and make that 'cheap headlines'??!!" This is the question which angry Deepika Padukone has raised to make her ‘point of view’ clear to people who accused her series of tweets to the portal of a leading daily to be a well timed stunt.

Now the actress has taken matters into her own hands and silenced her detractors with a strong response.

She penned down an open letter on her Facebook page on Friday to express her thoughts about the controversial episode. She says, "I have an issue when people "propagate objectification of a real person and not a character being played" and wants them to "respect" artistes as women off-screen." She has also slammed the entertainment media for disgracing the dignity of women at times and said, “If an actress does a faux-pas at her dressing, she doesn’t do it willingly. She doesn’t relish in being the mocking point of the people."

Here's is the letterin its entirety:

There is only one sign that a woman wants to have sex and that is that she says “YES”.

The reason I write the above line is because we all know that in India we are so desperately trying to make a change in the way sections of our society think in order to move towards a happier world devoid of inequality, rape, fear and pain.

I am not naive about my own profession; it is one that requires lots of demanding things of me. 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.

What my concern is and I am stating it clearly so it is not misconstrued or confused with Shahrukh’s 8-pack or any other woman’s or man’s anatomy. I have spoken out against an ideology that such regressive tactics are still being employed to draw a reader’s attention at a time when we are striving for women’s equality and empowerment. In a time where women should be applauded for making headway in a male-dominated society, we blur the lines between REEL and REAL life and dilute all our efforts by making a one-year old back sliding piece of news a headline. Digging out an old article and headlining it “OMG: Deepika’s Cleavage Show!” to attract readers is using the power of influence to proliferate recessive thought.

When an actress’ inner wear decides to do a "peek-a-boo", she most definitely did not step out with the intention to do so. So instead of zooming in, circling it and pointing arrows at it, why don't we give her some 'respect' and let it go instead of making it 'headlines'!? Are we not human? Yes we marvel, envy and drool over a male actor’s 8-pack abs in a film, but do we zoom in on the man’s 'crotch' when he makes a public appearance and make that 'cheap headlines'??!!

I have no issue celebrating my body and I have never shied away from anything on-screen to portray a character. In fact my next character portrayed is a bar dancer (sorry Farah for the spoiler!) who titillates men as a means to support her livelihood. My issue is you propagating the objectification of a REAL person, and not a character being played. Sure, dissect my characters if you wish -- if it is of so much interest then discuss the character’s cup size and leg length if it is relevant to making the role convincing. All I am asking for is respect a woman off-screen.

It is not about breasts, penises, or any other body part being reported. It is a matter of context and how out-of-context the reportage is just to sell a headline. And more so during a time in dire need of an attitude shift towards women.

For me this topic ends here. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I have little interest to take this further as it might get more attention than it deserves and might be further misconstrued and twisted to sell more undeserved headlines.

Having said that, please may we show love, dignity and respect to each other.

Live well, laugh often and love much.

Deepika Padukone

Deepika’s response seems to be directed towards noted writer and coloumnist Shobhaa De who initially tweeted in the actress’ support but later retracted that “Deepika’s cleavage was as important as SRK's eight-pack.”

Excerpts from Shobhaa’s blog:

In today's red carpet age, top stars across the world are pictured in garments that leave little to the imagination - Miley Cyrus wore nothing more modest than tantalising pasties to an event last week. Surely, a red carpet veteran like Padukone, who has been widely photographed in the most revealing haute couture (remember the stunning 'Vogue' cover shoot?), can't have turned coy overnight? Most of her contemporaries routinely appear at glam events dressed in skimpier outfits. What does any of this have to do with feminism? The cameras will leer and peer. That's what cameras do. Where and who draws the line? What is that line? Is reckless backless okay, even if it's cut all the way down to where the butt starts? Are gowns with thigh high cuts that go all the way up to the crotch fine? What about slinky outfits with interestingly positioned cut-outs that make it clear no under garments are involved? But a cleavage offends? I don't get it.

How is Deepika's cleavage more provocative than Aamir Khan's... ummm...groin or SRK's eight pack? Umpteen publicity pictures have flashed SRK's sculpted body recently. In what way is that display more 'acceptable' when it comes to the objectification game? Why no gender neutrality here? In today's competitive times, most female actors are saying, "Have cleavage, will flaunt!" And we are not talking about Poonam Pandey alone. Our heroes hit the gym for a purpose - to show off their hard work in public! Nobody screams "exploitation" when that happens.

Too bad, this brush with a few vital inches has generated so much heat for and around Bollywood's biggest hottie.