I found this piece on Shilpa Shetty’s problem on Big Brother. I would like to add my own comments as well.
London, Jan 16 – Indian actress Shilpa Shetty may appear lost and out of depth as she prepares half-cooked chicken on the reality show ‘Big Brother’, but desi voyeurs in Britain have flooded broadcasting authorities with complaints of racism by others in the house against her (I applaud all those politically correct people for raising a storm).
Britain’s broadcasting watchdog Ofcom is investigating nearly 200 complaints about alleged racism against her even as strong opinions are being expressed on Asian radio stations and websites in her support. (They better handle this situation properly coz this Asian wont take this lying down). Asian radio station Sunrise received several calls on a phone-in on Sunday from viewers, complaining about racism against Shetty.
According to her fans and fawns, the long-legged Bollywood stunner is being targeted by some housemates because she is Indian and is being described in what can be called unparliamentary language.(I am pretty sure that they wouldnt target people of other races like that).
Big Brother housemates Jade Goody, Danielle Lloyd and Jo O’Meara seem to have ganged up against Shetty in the past few days. Shetty has become the subject of snide and biting remarks because of her hauteur and background as the heartthrob of millions of Bollywood fans. (They are all tramps and whores)
Channel Four, which broadcasts the popular reality show, has said that her treatment in the house is ‘girly rivalry’ and that it would not tolerate bullying or racism. (I bet they are gonna turn a blind eye to it cause of the ratings they are getting).
Shetty’s housemates have often referred to her as ‘the Indian’, and some have found it difficult to pronounce her name, poked fun at her accent and asked her if she lived in a shack. (Racist Bastards.)
An Ofcom spokeswoman said: ‘We have had approximately 200 complaints of racism. Quite a lot of websites have been discussing the issue and urging people to get in contact with us. We will look into each individual complaint.’
Speaking to the BBC Asian Network, evicted housemate Carole Malone said she believes the incidents were motivated by jealousy.
‘Shilpa is too good looking for her own good. She’s an incredibly powerful and beautiful woman. She is a very strong woman and can handle it.
‘I spoke to her about it when I was in the house. Shilpa feels that she represents the Indian/Asian community and doesn’t want to let them or herself down by retaliating’.
The Evening Standard reported that producers of the reality show held an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss whether comments made to Shetty could be construed as racism.
An unnamed source told the paper: ‘Shilpa was not called a ‘paki’. If the producers thought that anything that was said was overtly racist, the contestant who made the remark would be out. (Liars)
‘Shilpa is no shrinking violet and is standing up for herself. But producers are very concerned about the situation and monitoring the housemates very closely regarding this issue.’
A spokeswoman for Channel 4 said: ‘We do not tolerate bullying or racism in any form on Big Brother.’
Former Big Brother contestant, Herjender ‘Gos’ Gosal said: ‘If people are too ignorant to learn a bit about other cultures, and make an effort to pronounce someone’s name properly then that is racism. It’s sickening to watch. (Yeah.)
‘Some of these so-called celebrities should know better and if I was treated like that during my time in the house I would not stand for it and demand the producers take action.
‘Unfortunately conflict gets producers higher ratings, but it shouldn’t be at the cost of offending the very community you are hoping to appeal to by putting a Bollywood star in the house in the first place.’
Shetty’s manager, Jazz Barton said: ‘Britain is a multi-racial society and this shouldn’t be happening on a reality show like Big Brother. I’ve raised my concerns to the producers.
‘Just because Shilpa is beautiful, articulate and intelligent, people feel threatened. When they took the mickey out of her accent, I thought that was unacceptable. She may have an Indian accent but her vocabulary is better than a lot of the other contestants. (Some people do take the mickey out of others. I have been through that and wont let anyone get to me as well).
‘Shilpa has worked hard to get to where she has – not found fame from simply being on a reality show. I really hope the public show her support and vote to keep her in, because she is a decent person.
‘I’ve spoken to Shilpa’s mother who has heard from friends in the UK, that Shilpa is having a tough time of it, and is facing a lot of hostility – she is quite upset about it. I would like to see how Channel 4 are going to handle this.
‘I applaud the people who have phoned Ofcom to complain – maybe it will make the producers take a strong stance on this.’
I cant believe that people think there is any racism in the big brother house except that of Germaine Jackson and Shilpa. After all calling an entire family white trash seems to be alright but calling someone an indian and putting on an accent is racist. what is this? can only white people be racist and not members of ethnic minorities.
What a load of rubbish, I cannot believe 2000 people have complained of their own choice it is so easy to tell all these complaints were organised en masse. After all the two worst racist murders in recent years were perpetrated against white schoolboys by asian men so all this trying to influence people by organising mass votes to complain about something that isnt there is just silly and no one is going to fall for it.
By: Frank DOcherty on January 16, 2007
at 9:41 pm
This is not about racism. It’s about two very controlling and manipulative women.
Shilpa and Jade.
Each is as bad as the other. Shilpa is constantly whining that nobody loves her, and yet she is such a bossy boots, and she did not try to mix in with the women. In fact she has set herself apart from them from the beginning. The look on her face at times tells the story that she considers herself “better”. Jade is reacting to Shilpa’s controlling behaviour, her manipulation, read “man”ipulation, and her passive aggressive behaviour. Shilpa has loads of money, she should go into psychotherapy.
Jade at least is honest, she may be too honest for her own good.
In my culture, we do not handle other people’s food, it is a health hazard, and extremely bad manners!
We do not empty a large soup saucepan full of soup, bones and all down the toilet bowl!! Here you could actually be prosecuted by the local council for disposing of your food in a toilet bowl. Shilpa is demonstrating that she is doing it as it is done at home. That says a great deal.
Shilpa goes on and on about how difficult it is for her to cope with a different culture, she isn’t coping, she’s doing it her way, and her passive aggressive bullying is just so despicable and two faced. In fact, Shilpa may be being racist too.
By: cal on January 16, 2007
at 10:51 pm
@Frank
I think some people are quite ignorant about the truth. Its obvious that there are some elements of racism on CBB. of course thats being racist. People can be big hypocrites at times. It would have been a huge issue if some “white” celeb on big brother were to be insulted that way. I never claimed that white people are the only racists in the world. If 2000 people complained then there has to be reason for them doing that. Is it bothering you so much that you feel that all these complaints were organized en masse. it proves that the show has struck a nerve and has hurt the sensibilities of ethnic minorities who are also residents of the UK. What are you trying to prove here anyway? Your comments are so silly that i think you need to get your head examined. You may not think its a serious issue but it is. Keep telling yourself that Asians aren’t worth it and this just a silly issue because you think it was all fixed. I think you have forgotten the racist murders of Stephen Lawrence, Saied Ahmed, Ali Ibrahim,Shamsudden Mahmood, Donna O’Dwyer, Mohan Singh Kullar 1995: Mushtaq Hussain ,Daniel Blake, John Reid , Michael Menson, Lahkvinder ‘Ricky’ Reel,James Tossell, Akofa Hodasi, Remi Surage, Surjit Singh Chhokar, Farhan Mire , Jay Abatan, Andrea Dykes, John Light, Nicholas Moore, Stelios Economou, Harold (aka Errol) McGowan, Liaquat (aka Bobby) Ali, Joseph Alcendor, Ben Kamanalagi, Hassan Musa, Zardasht Draey, Jason McGowan, Zahid Mubarek, Santokh ‘Peter’ Singh Sandhu, Kombra Divakaren, Jan Marthin Pasalbessi, Glynne Agard, Mohammed Asghar, Abdi Dorre, Tariq Javed, Khaliur Rahman, Sarfraz Khan ,Gian Singh Nagra, Fetah Marku, Shiblu Rahman, Sharon Bubb, Firsat Dag, Ross Parker ,Peiman Bahmani, Shah Wahab, Derrick Shaw ,Mohammed Isa Hasan Ali, Unnamed Asian man, Paul Rosenberg, Johnny Delaney, Awais Alam, Quadir Ahmed ,Kris Donald, Shahid Aziz, Akberali Tayabali Mohamedally, Brij Brushan Sharma, Bapishankar Kathirgamamathan, Kalan Kawa Karim, Lalji Joshi Deraye Lewis, Mi Gao Huang Chen, Mugilan Sutherman, Kamal Raza Butt, Anthony Walker, Rushi Kamdar, Isiah Young-Sam Lee Phipps, Christopher Alaneme. Funny how you jump up when asians kill white people but stay silent when people from ethnic minorities are victims of racism as well. Please get your facts straightened before you make your point next time.
By: shobz on January 16, 2007
at 11:05 pm
@carol
your comments don’t make any sense at all. If a person does not mix well with a person then there has to be some reason. Jade and Shilpa may not get along but this does not mean that she has to be treated in an inhumane manner. Jade’s mother mocked her a lot while some of the other housemates mocked her accent. That is not the sort of treatment one expects. White people are supposedly civilized and not uncouth. I guess they think that people who act like proper ladies to be quite rude and controlling. Sometimes people can be quite condescending. No one ever expects any good behavior on Big Brother but then there is a way a person should behave with people from different ethnic backgrounds. Naturally one doesn’t expect red carpet treatment but then people should be civil to each other. Funny thing is that the only point you have against her is that that she dumped food. Hah. No point in arguing with you all because you would only look at the white angle.
By: shobz on January 16, 2007
at 11:16 pm
My husband is Asian, I have lived in South East Asia for some time.
This is not about a “white angle”. It was my husband who first pointed out to me just how two-faced and fake Shilpa is. She manipulates people to her own advantage. This is not about racism, it is about the vagaries of human behaviour, and how people negotiate the group dynamic.
Shilpa behaved in the way she has in order to get the sympathy of others. Now she is being exposed as being insincere. Behaving like a lady, anyone can do, it takes real character to be honest.
Dumping the food is one of many points that can be made. But I don’t have the time to do it point for point. My point is simply that Shilpa has contravened some of the rules of the culture she is living in at the present moment, whether out of ignorance or whatever I do not know; which is paradoxical because she is always complaining about her hard time in another culture. But she served up food that is raw, Raw chicken is dangerous and could cause food poisoning.
Now she is going for the “racist” vote, everybody hates me because I’m whatever, you know that is the ultimate in cycnical spin. I’m in a “white” country, they must be being racist toward me type of thinking. You know it gets really boring, especially when she comes from a country with an extremely inflexible “caste” system, I don’t think she is in any position to teach “white” people about racism. She is herself racist.
And I speak from experience of being around Asians who think they are better than their fellow Asians, because their skin is closer to white, than other Asians. I just don’t like hypocrisy.
No one, is treating Shilpa in an inhumane manner. They are just being extremely honest with her, something she is obviously not used to. I guess when you are rich there are loads of yes people around.
As to my comments not making any sense, what an extremely rude thing to say. You make much in your post about “white” racism, yet have you ever posted about racism and sectarinism in India between castes or religions. But then it is so much easier to point to others faults than to one’s own.
Bah, but what’s the point in debating with you when you will only see it from the “brown” angle!
Right back at you sister ………
By: cal on January 17, 2007
at 2:03 am
Shobz, just wanted to say that your comment to my wife, “the she only looks at it from the “white angle”, is a racist comment. To infer in any way that a persons ability to form an opinion or they way they think is in any way related to the colour of their skin is racist.
Is there a link between how you think and your race? How would you feel if it was inferred that you think, act, are in a certain way because of the colour of your skin.
Just be aware that all humans are capable of racism, it is not solely the domain of a white person.
Mahesh
By: cal on January 17, 2007
at 3:28 am
[...] Celebrity Big Brother – causing a stir People are mixing it up with their opinions on whether there is a valid charge of racism in the current celebrity big brother (CBB – to those in the know) – Check out a typically heated discussion here (http://boshe.wordpress.com/2007/01/16/shilpa-shetty-and-celebrity-big-brother-part-ii/) [...]
By: Celebrity Big Brother - causing a stir « Reality TV betting opportunities on January 17, 2007
at 3:03 pm
I think that the organisers of CBB must do something about Jade. Even if Shilpa is being manipulative or whatever other people want to think, nobody,not even “celebrities”,who are supposed to know what is write can come on national tv and talk rubbish and call other people names and gang up on them. Jade is giving a very bad impression of herself and i honestly think she should be ashamed of herself for her vulgar and dispicable way of talking on national television and cursing. Shilpa has proved she really is a lady if nothing else and Jade is just being jealous of her. Jade,grow up.
By: pee on January 18, 2007
at 12:27 am
I agree with Pee. Last night’s show was hard to watch. Jade’s angry abusive behaviour was hard to watch, and I just went to make a cup of tea. Whatever her differences with Shilpa, why could she not just talk with her and sort it out. But then I’m not sure that Jade has the communication skills.
The TV company should really segregate Jade and the other two women off from the main house, sit them down and explain the effect of their behaviour on others. Of course if their viewing ratings are going through the roof, I guess that’s not their main priority, but it should be.
By: cal on January 18, 2007
at 8:13 am
We saw what happened. Jade could not be in the show. One should have quality to be in the show. This is totally from the jelousness. There is nothing to do with the race, nothing to do with shilpa and jade. I am white, but i liked Shilpa as a neutral judge, a neutral viewer. BEING white i didnt support like others. I read all the replies from other( was very much attentive to read replies from Cal). Really, everyone proves here who is biased with the term Racism. Jade has no quality to be in the show. In fact, she has neither a single virtue, nor a single manner to talk to people. Shilpa is not the matter. She doesnt know how to show honor to the beauty. She was jelous cuz she knew that Shilpa would go upto the Final episode of BIG B. She (jade) is a shouting BUM and should get out from the show. And viewers like me did that. We did that. We threw the jungle from the flower garden. Shilpa is not isolated. If so, why she is a famous actress in bollywood. First i thought i was biased about racism, about the total fact. But all of my friends found her kool, pretty. Jade has neither the characteristics of a women nor a man. Transexual??? Fits a bit, even not. I saw a barking dog outside yesturday. He has no owner. She is bit similar like her. A barking uncultured dog. I bet all, if shilpa would be in the show, she would be the first. Cuz beauty is always beauty,,,noone can stop to praise the beauty of a beautiful flower. Whatever it is, we saw what Tony Blayer said in the parliament. Shilpa is not responsible for anything. If I am not HUNGRY; then who are you bloody b***ch to force me to eat!!! Jade did the same thing in the whole show. She likes to oil others machine but she didnt know that she needs oil in her own machine, own bum. Shilpa need not to tell her as princes, cuz she is a princes. But look at Jade. If she stand in front of me naked, i will not even look at her second time. Wakkkkkkkkkkk,,,,,B***DY BUM.
Stop to do such a fuss Cal. Open your eyes. If you are white like those bloody b**ch, then please stop to reply. you might have problem wiht tant or brown or black people, we dont have. Stop such Fuss!!!
By: Moon on January 21, 2007
at 2:20 am
ah, sorry, forgot one thing. The issue is a very small issue. Do you know why??? Cuz all those bloody girls commented about racism of a bollywood star. But if it would be a white girl, and all would be from INDIA, then the third world war would start with the issue of Racism.
Those 4 white are uncultured, doesnt present the whole white nations or race. They have no manner, have no power to make a bollywood star as their friend. Shilpa has a lot of money and she came on that show to entertain people. Not to earn money. In fact, she is getting more than that amount for each movie she signed. She is psycho, which makes her bollywood star. Racism Racism Racism,,,!!! What happened with those 4 english white bum.
Indian like Shilpa are psycho, thats why they are getting the position for Ms Universe. Not for one, or two times. Several times. May be all of them are Psycho.
Jade, is a normal things. But unfortunately she is not a abnormal human being. She is a normal bitch.
How much do you know about Shilpa? Ask me. I WOULD TELL YOU HOW MUCH I KNOW ABOUT HER. Those 4 white bum were never friendly with Shilpa. They were always afraid. Cuz they were quite surewho would be in the final stage. well, i am wasting my time here. Cuz the whole nation saw what happed with the show Big Brother. All sponsors declared something which i dont want to mention here.
Honor to all who knows to show the emotion, who can feel the meaning of dignity in her own, honor to all who knows how to love, praise to girl like Shilpa who knows how to represent her country. Salute to you Shilpa.
By: Moon on January 21, 2007
at 2:35 am
oh another thing, if my wife would be from south asian and would start to say something FUSS about south asian people, i will not believe. Who knows my so called wife was in love with Shilpa’s x boyfriend Akshay.
Hahaha….If i dont like pasta, i would always demotivate people about Pasta, simple logic. If i dont like Shilpa, i would find always the negative point to make her down. Someone’s husband should be ashamed to be an asian. He shouldnt ever tell his identity as an asian.
Solidarity and Racism,,,,,,,just SHIT.
By: Moon on January 21, 2007
at 2:41 am