Coldplay and Beyonce’s new music video has received backlash for its portrayal of India.
The new single 'Hymn For the Weekend' was filmed in Mumbai and features Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor.
The backlash seemed a little ironic from a country which itself commonly stereotypes almost any other culture including white people and Chinese in movies and Television.
Beyoncé plays the role of a Bollywood actress adorned in traditional clothes, with many on Twitter questioning whether her appearance constitutes cultural appropriation.
The video sees Coldplay's frontman Chris Martin attending a local cinema to watch Beyoncé’s latest production as a Bollywood actress and also features slum children playing with holi, fire breathers and holy men.
Sonam Kapoor, who makes a fleeting appearance in the new video told The Times of India: "I love Coldplay's music and so does the world.
"It was a huge honour to be a part of the video. It's a great concept and I had a lot of fun shooting for it."
Social media response to the video though questioned the uncomfortable use of Indian stereotypes.
i dont even know what to say about this coldplay video except can white rock bands please stop filming holi videos in india, thank you.
— ahmed ali akbar (@radbrowndads) January 29, 2016
Just gonna throw this out there, if Beyoncé&Coldplay are PROFITING from a culture that isn't there's and gaining praise, it's appropriation
— cazafortuna (@caramelputa) January 29, 2016
Cold play's new video 'Hymn For The Weekend' looks like Slumdog Millionaire had a holi sequence.https://t.co/Ck2S1W1ysN
— Shivam (@GhantaGuy) January 29, 2016
Coldplay makes music for affluent whites who travel arnd the world to shower poor black & brown kids in their performative tears x
— A Siamese Punk (@ASiamesePunk) January 29, 2016
So upset by @coldplay using my culture as a prop for their music video. India isn't just street kids and exotic women. #HymnForTheWeekend
— Atiya Hasan, MD (@AtiyaHasan05) January 29, 2016
Wanna depict #India, understand its rich & diverse culture first! Going with ago old stereotypes is not done! #HymnForTheWeekend #Coldplay
— Amena (@Fashionopolis) January 29, 2016
Coldplay's new video is basically what India looks like to white people
— Kanksha Raina (@SpoiledHobo) January 29, 2016
South Asia is only seen as desirable when we can be used as sad-looking, dark-skinned props that throw colorful powder everywhere @coldplay
— reclaimthebindi (@reclaimthebindi) January 30, 2016
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