Entertainment
Does Renee Really Need To Ape Rihanna To Be Accepted?
Renee Kujur is a supermodel and is creating waves with her uncannily close appearance to the American pop singer
Text credit: Charishma Thankappan
Touted India’s Rihanna, Renee Kujur from India’s Chhattisgarh is making headlines as a look-alike of popular music sensation Rihanna. A model now, Renee is already killing it with her Instagram account called ‘badgalrene’ which is also incidentally a near copy of the singer’s account named ‘badgalriri’.
But while Renee is courting fame now, it wasn’t an easy journey for her so far. She has been a constant victim of ridicule owing to her complexion. In a country that is obsessed with fair skin, Renee recounts facing humiliation at a tender age when she appeared for a school performance in the guise of a fairy, and she was laughed at by the audience pointing at her and calling her “kaali pari” (black fairy).
It is only thanks to the changing circumstances in the Indian fashion industry over the past few years, where dark skinned women have been begun to be accepted, that Renee’s got a chance to get into modelling. However, that too was met with skepticism, where she was told that dusky girls couldn’t go as far as their fairer counterparts, and that she would have to compromise her principles and dignity to make it to the top. “They told me all models are into prostitution. I won’t become a model unless I pleased clients. Being dark had already killed my chances,” said Renee to a leading Indian daily. She also related more horrific incidents where photographers would ask makeup artists to make her three-four shades lighter. In one instance, one of the makeup artists is known to state with pride that anyone can do makeup on a pretty girl, but being able to make a dark girl look good was a challenge.
It was a friend of hers who first noticed the similarity between her and the American R&B singer. Soon the likeness was perceived by others. And just so, Renee started earning respect and admiration for her comparison.
But while Renee can be thankful to Rihanna for helping dark skin be accepted and respected, I think Renee should stop cloning herself as the singer. From aping her Instagram account name to even some of her makeup looks and photoshoots, Renee seems to be duplicating her appearance to match the star’s. The question then arises as to is it only when someone walks in the shadow of a bigger star, can one catch the attention and hope to make a name for oneself? I just hope that it is short-lived and for the sake of garnering the deserved attention she requires, and with time she moves on to project her own identity and becomes a successful supermodel in her own right. After all, she is another example of how one can grow big even from a small town.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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Events
The L’Oréal Paris Show at Paris Fashion Week 2024
The L’Oréal Paris runway at Paris Fashion Week 2024 was a captivating spectacle, celebrating women’s empowerment, inclusion, and sisterhood under the theme “Walk Your Worth.” A star-studded lineup of global icons brought glamour to the stage.
Kendall Jenner stole the spotlight in a bold red mesh asymmetric dress, paired with a vibrant lip and striking bleach blonde hair. Alia Bhatt, making her much-anticipated debut at Paris Fashion Week, dazzled in a metallic silver bustier and black off-shoulder jumpsuit. Eva Longoria mesmerized in a sheer organza gown with a daring high slit, dripping in diamonds.
Other standout moments included Cara Delevingne rocking a red silk trench coat and high-waisted hot pants, while Jane Fonda exuded elegance in a shimmering silver trench, styled with metallic trainers. The event also featured appearances from Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Heidi Klum, and Simone Ashley, each bringing their unique flair to the runway.
Kendal Jenner
Eva Longaria
Aishwarya Rai
Anitta
Viola Davis and Simone Ashley
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Laapataa Ladies: Kiran Rao’s Social Satire Becomes India’s Official Entry for the 2025 Oscars
Kiran Rao’s delightful bride-swapping comedy-drama, *Laapataa Ladies*, has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars, the Film Federation of India (FFI) announced on Monday. FFI Chairman Jahnu Barua revealed that the film was chosen from a pool of 29 contenders. A 13-member jury evaluated 12 Hindi, six Tamil, and four Malayalam films to decide the country’s submission for Best International Feature Film. Among the notable competitors were Animal, Kill, Kalki 2898 AD, Srikanth, Chandu Champion, Joram, Maidaan, Sam Bahadur, Article 370, the National Award-winning Malayalam film Aattam, and Payal Kapadia’s Cannes-winning All We Imagine As Light.
Expressing her gratitude, Kiran Rao stated, “I am deeply honored and delighted that Laapataa Ladies has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards. This recognition is a testament to the tireless work of my entire team, whose dedication and passion brought this story to life. Cinema has always been a powerful medium to connect hearts, transcend boundaries, and ignite meaningful conversations. I hope this film will resonate with audiences worldwide, just as it has in India.”
Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, features a fresh ensemble cast including Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastav, and Chhaya Kadam, with a standout cameo by veteran actor Ravi Kishan. Released in theaters on March 1, the film garnered praise from critics and audiences alike, steadily gaining momentum through word-of-mouth.
Though it didn’t achieve massive box office numbers, Laapataa Ladies found a growing fanbase following its release on Netflix, where it reached a wider audience. The film, a social satire based on Biplab Goswami’s award-winning story, was brought to life with a screenplay and dialogues by Sneha Desai. It also earned recognition on the international stage, having been screened at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last year.
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