Parineeti Chopra made news last year when she documented her inspiring weight-loss journey on Instagram, but her recent Twitter video threatens to undo her message of strength. While wishing a friend on his birthday on Twitter, the actor commented, “Eat less and become thin.”
(VIDEO) @aliaa08 wishing @ParineetiChopra ‘s friend a happy birthday ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2c9vJRzRBw
— AliaaHolics™ (@AliaaHolics_) August 16, 2016
Twitter users were quick to call her out for ‘body-shaming’ her friend.
parineeti chopra used to be acclaimed for changing the view on women’s body image in india but she turned out to be a fake
— jasmine (@mindofjasmin) August 17, 2016
After Parineeti herself was fat shamed you’d think she’d be a little more sensitive to a poor BIRTHDAY GIRL wtf man https://t.co/DEEdEsTL44
— jaz (@desiavan) August 17, 2016
eat less…become thin
my esteem for Parineeti Chopra is ZERO!
nice Birthday wish for a friend….NOT -_-— CoffeeWithBollywood (@BollyArabfan) August 16, 2016
Given that the actor has always advocated the importance of being fit, and not thin, the statement seemed a bit out of character until the friend in question, Shahzaib Ali, spoke up to set the record straight.
In an open letter to all the online cynics, Shahzaib Ali spoke up about the unwarranted negativity being directed towards Chopra on social media:
“I’d tried to stay silent after this so-called body shaming made its way into the news, but I feel I have to speak out now. And what I’d like to say is that I’m irked on a lot of fronts. First, the fact that someone used a personal video to attack an individual disgusts me. Second, I feel it abhorrent that people would choose to accuse Parineeti of body shaming when she herself has been so vocal about the issue (which is real and important). She has worked incredibly hard to achieve a certain level of fitness, and she of all people knows what it’s like to be teased about her weight. She would never do that to me. Third, I find it hard to believe that people think friendship should be policed. I mean, if people hold such rigid views about what friendship should and shouldn’t look like… well, you should hear some of the jokes Parineeti and I share!
You’d probably want to jail us both! I feel guilty for drawing my best friend into a hurtful conversation! Such a strong negative response inhibits the openness of people on social media and deters sensibility and normalcy from existing. I’m big on self-deprecation which allows my close friends to banter while maintaining appropriate respect and understanding. Therefore, the baseless hatred I’ve seen, directed at something that was just a joke, is quite hurtful. It also makes me feel guilty not for my body, but for drawing Parineeti into a hurtful conversation.
So to all those who are still not happy: since this video generated a lot of hype and some people definitely want more, I will now reveal all the dirty, rude things my best friend has done or said to me in the past, and I am adding appropriate hashtags for your convenience:
1) She once called me dinosaur #DinosaurShaming
2) She snatched my last piece of chocolate #FoodShaming
3) Once she said I looked constipated #PottyShaming
4) She once said I’m toxic #BritneyBlaming
5) We went for 9-pin balling #UnnecessaryGaming
6) She visited a zoo with me #LionTaming
7) She told me lame jokes #ConstantLaming
8) She repeated what I just said #Saming
9) We both sucked at archery #UselessAiming
10) We sent each other video messages #FriendlyMemeing
And while you go ahead and share the above, maybe you’ll also find it in your heart to remember the positive side of her now-controversial video message to me. At a time when technology and instant fame can cut us off from our friends, Parineeti made a special effort to wish me on my birthday. She got Alia Bhatt to wish me too and totally made my day. She showed me what good friendship is all about, and didn’t let her stardom colour the way we conduct our friendship, lame jokes and all. I hope by now, the point is clear. Life should not always be taken so seriously, and sometimes it is appropriate and necessary to see things as they are, not what we would like them to be.”
You may also want to read:
Parineeti Chopra speaks up about her new body and new confidence
The truth behind weight-loss selfies revealed!
