Zaira Wasim’s open letter is not a religious document, it’s a note on disenchantment with her job
When Zaira Wasim played the young Geeta Phogat in Dangal at 13, we knew here was a special talent. Her next movie, ‘Secret Superstar’ again proved there is no character this gifted child can’t portray on the celluloid with full conviction. No wonder then that her decision to quit acting has come as a shock to many people. Unfortunately, it is not the loss of a great talent we are mourning. The entire media fraternity is sitting on judgement on an 18-year old’s declaration that her field of work and her religion are not compatible. She has been called a “moron” by Bangladeshi writer Tasleema Nasreen and “fundamentalist” by other critiques. Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon took a shot at her saying, “Doesn’t matter if two film olds are ungrateful to the industry that have given them all. Just wish they’d exit gracefully and keep their regressive views to themselves.” Yet others have come up with their conspiracy theories saying she was under pressure from fundamentalists to quit Bollywood, even though, there is no evidence to buttress this claim.
Even as Zaira is at the receiving end of a lot of unwarranted hate, many have lapped up the teenager’s decision to cite her religion in her public resignation letter as a reason to debate “is acting incompatible with Islam?” or “It this a sign of radicalization?”. Now, here are two points I would like to make to counter this vicious attack on the free will of a young girl.
First, why is all mention of religion in public discourse seen as regressive or dangerous or as a sign of radicalization. There is no need to accord a moral high ground to Zaira for quitting Bollywood citing religious reason, but again there is no need for adults to sit on judgement either, detecting signs of regressive behaviour in a rather intelligent and articulate young girl’s public conduct. That’s what pados wali aunties do. Not prominent citizens of India like Tandon, or film director Onir who wrote: “Wish the decision did not have to be accompanied with a sermon on “good way of life” #ZairaWasim .The opposite is a huge struggle for many who are prevented to make the choice citing the idea as anti religion” On similar lines, journalist Barkha Dutt opined: “deeply disturbed at the indoctrination of religious conservatism — any religion-in that choice being made.”
It is sad that Wasim’s six-page note is being seen as a sign of indoctrination and not as a method of reconciliation with inner conflicts or finding solace in one’s faith.
Secondly, why is Zaira Wasim’s open letter being seen as a religious document or diktat. Is she an Islamic scholar or a religious authority figure? There are young glamorous Muslim girls like Sara Ali Khan and Fatima Sana Sheikh working in the industry with élan. Three of the superstars in the country and Muslim. What in world makes us believe that one girl’s decision to quit on religious ground and express her disenchantment with the way Bollywood works will set the wrong precedent for other Muslims who enter the industry.
Further, is it not possible that this young girl, coming from a conservative background did find it difficult to navigate the world of Bollywood? It could have come as a culture shock — the dating, the gossip, the pressure of being a role model, or having the right body. She has spoken about it earlier in an interview: “Ever since I came back to social media, all people have to say is I must lose weight. I find it annoying.”
Bollywood is not exactly a Disneyland for young children to grow up in. We know what kind of pressure and limelight star kids are under. Superstar Shah Rukh Khan had to intervene when his minor daughter’s bikini photos were splashed on websites without her consent. “She was in a bikini, she was on a beach, and she was with her little brother. You went ahead and wrote a headline, “SRK’s daughter flaunts her body.” Is it a little cheap? Maybe I felt it was.”
Zaira has no superstar dad to pull the strings for her when trouble comes calling for her. What space does Bollywood offer to women from conservative families who aren’t comfortable with either flaunting their bodies, or getting the ideal body type, or be part of networking parties. How do they get work? We know for a fact auditioning is not the only way people get parts in this industry. A lot of back channel discussions, who-knows-whom, who-is-dating-whom-decides who lands a part. Zaira may have been a talented actor but to thrive in this industry, you need to know people, put yourself out on magazine covers or be spoken about in the grapevine. Talent alone isn’t enough to keep you relevant in this industry. It’s highly possible that Zaira was a starry-eyed kid, who gradually understood her handicaps early on in her journey.
Zaira has also openly spoken about her mental health issues on several occasion. How is attending to one’s inner conflicts and giving priority to mental health over fame and success, even if it is on religious ground a sign of radicalization and not maturity?
We should read Zaira’s open letter for what it is — a teenager struggling with mental health issues, crisis of identity, and seeking meaning in what she does. That she is looking for her truth and purpose in religion is secondary and very normal in the culture she comes from. Such disillusionment among teenagers is not uncommon. Jack Gleeson who played Joffrey Barathion in Game of Thrones retired after playing a key role in a hugely popular show. No doubt he was is a powerhouse performer, but much like Zaira he too stopped enjoying acting and felt a sense of disenchantment. He said: “When you make a living from something, it changes your relationship with it. It’s not like I hate it, it’s just not what I want to do.”
Closer home, we know of ‘ghar se nikalte hi’ fame girl Mayoori Kango who chose Bollywood over IIT Kanpur as a teenager. But after a lackluster career, she went on to study MBA and is now heading Google India. She said: “People should complete their education before they come looking for that big break in Bollywood. Especially the actress, their career in the industry lasts only around ten years. Have a backup option.”
Zaira’s wish to leave the industry is not very different from the end of love affair with our jobs we often experience few years after landing our dream career. It’s not very different from the disenchantment with the very industry we would have once killed to be in. The decision to call it quits always comes after deep introspection, and a thorough investigation of our real interests and core values. Many of us quit because of our secular morals and ethics. For Zaira it was her religion that guided her decision to move on with her life.
Amid this debate around a non-issue, if anything worth criticizing has cropped up it is the media’s sense of entitlement and the liberty it takes to define who is a progressive Muslim and who is regressive. The attack on Wasim by prominent media personalities because she wouldn’t follow the “progressive Muslim” and “good Kashmiri” script is deplorable.
Just as Nusrat Jahan wearing sindoor, giving two hoots to the fatwa issued against her is celebration of choice, Wasim’s retreating into the comfort of her religion and openly declaring to do so is also a celebration of choice. And the fact that women today feel no obligation to conform to the norms of so-called progressive media to win popularity contests or to their own community members to gain approval in itself shows there are multiple ways of experiencing freedom and choice. There is no one way of being in this complex world. As well-meaning inhabitants of a mature multicultural society, the least we could do is give our girls unconditional freedom to pursue their path to their truth, while leaving the doors open if they wish to return.
