MY actress Mira Filzah apologises for cultural appropriation in Bollywood-inspired client photoshoot

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Malaysian actress Mira Filzah has apologised for appropriating Indian culture for a contact lens photoshoot. A series of pictures on Mira's Instagram showed her donned in a lehenga, a traditional clothing for Indian women, along with a nose ring and henna. Mira also shared a video of her lip-syncing to the song Maar Dala from a Hindi film titled Devdas.

Subsequently, a Twitter user who goes by the handle @eshwaaaaarya reportedly criticised Mira and called her the "cultural appropriation queen", multiple media outlets said. A quick check by A+M found that the Twitter account has since been deleted. Nonetheless, Mira responded to the user and apologised.

"I am sorry if what I did was wrong. I've grown up with Bollywood movies and songs and I’ve always been a fan of Bollywood since small," she explained. Mira added that she researched and memorised all the lyrics to Maar Dala in order to understand the song better.

Mira also explained that when she was approached for the Lavue lens photoshoot, she thought of Aishwarya Rai's eyes and that she loved seeing them in the film Umrao Jaan. As such, Mira suggested

Hi dear. I am sorry if what I did was wrong. I’ve grown up with Bollywood movies and songs and I’ve always been a fan of Bollywood since small. You just name it. ? I even memorise all the lyrics and googled the lyrics translation just to understand the song deeply.
— MIRA FILZAH (@MFMiraFilzah) August 20, 2020

When I got offered for this Lavue lens photoshoot, Aishwarya Rai eyes came across my mind. I love to see her green/blue eyes in Umrao Jaan film. ? So i suggested the Bollywood theme to the brand owner.
— MIRA FILZAH (@MFMiraFilzah) August 20, 2020

Again, there’s no intention at all to gain any profit by my own from the Indian culture itself. I’m just a die hard fan of Bollywood and I am sorry if you think what I did was wrong. I really respect and love your culture. ? Again, I’m sorry. ??
— MIRA FILZAH (@MFMiraFilzah) August 20, 2020

Another Twitter user also criticised Mira, saying that culture is not for one to use to dress up, glam up or "relive" those moments from Bollywood movies. "It’s not a play thing - not like when children wear tutu skirts and pretend to be princesses. This is someone's culture, not fairytale and certainly not disrespected to a concept," the user added.

That said, many netizens have come out in support of Mira. Some thanked the actress for explaining the creative concept behind the photoshoot and said she was showing appreciation for Indian culture. Meanwhile, some said they found the images neither offensive nor derogatory.

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