Shilpa Shetty
- Profession: Actress
- Place/Date of Birth: Tamil Nadu, India, 08 June 2020
- Assiociated with: Celebrity Big Brother, Jade Goody
The surge in complaints swelled after an episode in which another contestant said Indians were thin because they undercooked their food.
Big Brother row – Mayor of London statement - Jan 17 2007
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said today:
’The racism towards Shilpa Shetty on Celebrity Big Brother is completely uncacceptable. The company producing Celebrity Big Brother, Endemol, is editing down 24 hours of coverage to one hour and it is therefore clear they have deliberately chosen to broadcast participants’ racist comments. The programme makers should instead explicitly warn participants that such behaviour is unacceptable and contestants making racist comments will be evicted.
’The attitude we have seen taken towards Shilpa Shetty is not only wrong but is the the exact opposite to the approach that London takes towards the different cultures that exist in our city. All cultures are welcome in London, and we do not ask anyone to give up their culture or background in order to be welcome and to contribute to the city and its prosperity. The treatment meted out to Shilpa Shetty is totally opposite to such an approach.
’Racism is not only unacceptable in itself but undermines London’s prosperity - India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and London has not only a moral, but a directly economic interest, in making Indian people and their culture feel comfortable and welcome.’
10,000 complain over CBB ’race bullies’ - Jan 16 2007
Celebrity Big Brother has prompted nearly 10,000 viewer complaints about alleged racist bullying.
Media watchdog Ofcom had received a record 7,600 calls and emails by the end of Tuesday about the treatment of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty.
A further 2,000 viewers contacted Channel 4 to voice their dismay.
They believe housemates Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O’Meara have made racist jibes about the Indian actress.
The controversy spread to Parliament when a Labour MP Keith Vaz tabled a motion on the subject in the House of Commons.
British Asians posted messages on websites saying they were appalled by the programme.
And TV star Meera Syal branded the show a "vile spectacle".
The Goodness Gracious Me star told the BBC Asian Network: "What this treatment of Shilpa has done is remind a lot of Asian people in Britain of the type of uncomfortable treatment they’ve received themselves over the years.
"This is bullying and we mustn’t forget the impressionable people who watch this show. There is a very thin line between what is entertainment and a vile spectacle and I think we are in that area now."
Channel 4 have released a statement stressing that Shilpa had made no complaints of racism.
MP raises CBB ’racism’ in Commons - Jan 16 2007
Labour MP Keith Vaz has tabled an early day motion in the House of Commons about the treatment of Celebrity Big Brother contestant Shilpa Shetty.
Mr Vaz said members of his Leicester East constituency had contacted him about alleged racism on the Channel 4 show.
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At the age of 15 she followed in her parents footsteps and signed up to a modelling agency with the goal of becoming a ramp model. However at the age of 17 she took her first steps on to the silver screen when she was offered the leading role in the film Gaata Rahe Mera Dil opposite Rahul Roy. Sadly the film never got completed and was stalled, but she went on to accept a role in Baazigar, opposite Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. This became a super hit and Shilpa earned a Filmfare nomination for Best New Comer.
Following her initial success, Shilpa wasn’t so lucky on the movie side of business and her next two films flopped. It wasn’t until Main Khiladi Tu Anari that she caught the eye of Bollywood. Her solo song featured in the movie propelled her to fame and she quickly became the hottest thing in India.
After more unlucky production choices and more flops, Shilpa finally sealed her fate in celebrity-dom and redefined herself as a quality actress as well as a Bollywood beauty when she signed to appear in Phir Milenge. The movie dealt with the subject of HIV/AIDS and Shilpa’s character was HIV positive. For this role she earned praise from the Giant International Award and Indo-Pak’s Young Achiever.
Since then she has gone onto star in a number of successful hits, has become an AIDS activist and represents PETA in India.
Her most recent escapade, as a contestant in Celebrity Big Brother, has brought her international fame as well as sparking a global discussion on racism in the modern world.
October 2007