Sunny Leone interview: Bollywood stars respond to 'misogynistic' Bhupendra Chaubey questioning
A social media storm has erupted after Bollywood actress Sunny Leone was harshly questioned by Indian journalist Bhupendra Chaubey. The former adult movie star faced a series of questions about her "past" and was also asked whether she was responsible for the rise in porn consumption in India.
Following the airing of the interview on 19 January, thousands of people took to social media to defend the actress. CNN IBN's Chaubey was strongly criticised by many for his "misogynistic" approach to the interview, during which he repeatedly attempted to ask Leone whether she regretted her past in the porn industry. Despite her saying she did not, the journalist continued to question Leone on her past for the 20-minute-long interview.
Leone has since been commended for the way she handled the probe, with many praising her bravery and dignity during the ordeal. On 20 January Leone told BBC Newshour that she had "no idea" that she was going to be questioned in the manner that she was and that she was "hurt and quite upset" by the way it had gone.
On set and I feel this really needs to be said right now! Thank you and love you!! pic.twitter.com/SHSZSU7pij
— Sunny Leone (@SunnyLeone) January 19, 2016Leone said: "It felt like an interrogation more than an interview. I knew that it was wrong while it was happening but I wasn't going to get up and let him know that he had got the better of me and not finish the interview."
A number of Bollywood actors have since come out in support of the actress, including Aamir Khan, whose name was brought up during the interview. Journalist Chaubey asked Leone whether she thought Khan would ever consider appearing in a movie with her given her past in the porn industry. Leone replied "probably not", but said she would love to work with him.
On 20 January Khan took to Twitter to say he would be happy to work with her and that he had "absolutely no problems" with her past. He commended Leone for her "grace and dignity" and hit out at Chaubey by saying he could not say the same for him. Leone responded to the actor's message with delight, saying that her "heart just dropped" and that it "means the world and beyond" to her.
Here's now Leone's industry colleagues responded to the controversial interview.
Aamir Khan
I think Sunny conductd herself wid a lot of grace & dignity.I wish I cud hav said the same abt the interviewer (1/2) https://t.co/TDDHOlbOUL
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) January 20, 2016Sunny,I wil b happy 2 wrk wid u.I hav absolutely no problems wid ur "past", as the interviewer puts it.Stay https://t.co/jX4V3wULJ8.a.2/2
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) January 20, 2016Shahid Kapoor
@SunnyLeone respect. Few could have been as composed dignified and classy as you were. ?? you sure showed men it's a woman's world. Boom!
— Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) January 20, 2016Alia Bhatt
That was literally NOT an interview.. Just hyper opinionated statements with a question mark at the end!!! No Grace? Chivalry? Ridiculous!
— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) January 19, 2016Anushka Sharma
This downright distasteful interview shows d journalists intellect & lack of basic human respect & nothing else.kudos @SunnyLeone
— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) January 19, 2016Rishi Kapoor
Very unfair& rude interview with Sunny Leone on CNN IBN.She is taking it on her chin sportingly,obviously in the interest of her coming film
— rishi kapoor (@chintskap) January 17, 2016Armaan Malik
SO much Respect to u Sunny @SunnyLeone the way you handled that stupid Interview! Do what you love and Don't stop✌?️
— ARMAAN MALIK (@ArmaanMalik22) January 20, 2016Farhan Khan
One's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.@SunnyLeone im a fan!
— Farah Khan (@TheFarahKhan) January 20, 2016Dia Mirza
He asks the same question for 20minutes. Because she doesn't satisfy him with the response he's looking for.#Respect https://t.co/RkG4B0C5d2
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) January 19, 2016Genelia Deshmukh
So disappointed to see such disrespect towards a woman.. Is this Journalism??.I don't know @SunnyLeone personally but what a dignified lady.
— Genelia Deshmukh (@geneliad) January 19, 2016Gaurav Kapur
As a live broadcaster, you must be objective & rid yourself of all bias before an interview. Bhupendra's every word reeks of a dodgy agenda.
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) January 19, 2016Radhika Apte
Appalled by the journalist and his lack of intellect, humanity and respect. Bravo @SunnyLeone in complete support.
— Radhika Apte (@radhika_apte) January 19, 2016Mastizaada Milap
She is a rockstar! My #MastizaadiSunny Love her! https://t.co/WXX1s16rmR
— Mastizaada Milap (@zmilap) January 19, 2016Shruti Haasan
Well done @SunnyLeone keeping it together in the face of opinionated misguided questions? #mortifyingjournalism https://t.co/DwsdAFtVxT
— shruti haasan (@shrutihaasan) January 19, 2016Vir Das
Here's hoping Mr Chaubey's next interview explores something other than his own prejudice.
— Vir Das (@thevirdas) January 19, 2016Sushant Singh Rajput
How beautifully u held your own in that stupid interview @SunnyLeone .Some1 should have taught him how to respect a woman when he was a kid.
— Sushant S Rajput (@itsSSR) January 19, 2016Shabinaa Khan
Sick that a journalist @bhupendrachaube should conduct such a disgusting, patronising , sexist interview@sunnyleone
— Shabinaa Khan (@RowdyGabbar) January 19, 2016Mini Mathur
Yes and such stupid questions!He is so googly eyed & patronising while @SunnyLeone holds her own so beautifully?? https://t.co/KKPlaUB8sw
— Mini Mathur (@minimathur) January 19, 2016Shruti Seth
A rockstar being interviewed by a misogynistic idiot. You owned this one @SunnyLeone with your grace & poise. Bravo! https://t.co/LeCVt9bxmw
— Shruti Seth (@SethShruti) January 18, 2016© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.
