“I have become the first Indian to pose naked for Playboy,” Sherlyn Chopra told the BBC, “and nobody can take away that achievement from me.”
Sherlyn Chopra is a stunning model/actress and she’s had a few small roles in Bollywood films, but her career is about to veer off in a slightly different direction, with the news that she’ll be the first Indian woman to pose for Playboy magazine. The people of her country will be unable to see the physical copy of this exciting… er… spread… when it’s published in November; Playboy is banned in India. Luckily, the internet isn’t, so they’ll most likely be able catch it at some point. Still, Sherlyn is thrilled– and who wouldn’t be? It’s always exciting to be ‘FIRST!’ Deets inside.
So apparently, Sherlyn (28 years-old) wrote to the magazine herself and pitched the idea. Four days later, it was confirmed and she was on her way to the infamous Playboy mansion to meet Hef and the girls.
“I had fun meeting him and his girlfriends. I am thinking of making him my idol because he lives his life on his terms and conditions. I also live my life on my terms and conditions,” Sherlyn told the BBC. She also did that thing where she talked about how hard it is to pose nude. I know, I know… it’s hard… but doesn’t everyone say that? Lol.
Of course this decision has caused controversy in her native home:
At a time when innocent women across the nation from Gujarat to Guwahati have been subjected to sexual abuse and humiliation, one wonders if Sherlyn Chopra%u2019s pictures wound a woman%u2019s integrity,%u2019 said commentator Gayatri Sankar.
But Sherlyn has said her sister is supportive and very proud of her, and– while she hasn’t told her mother yet– she plans to explain that she must be accepted for who she is. Ultimately, she thinks it’s a good move, and says that Indian youth are changing and moving towards liberalization. For her, posing for Playboy is a part of that movement.
Based on comments I’m seeing online a lot of people are mad that she’s calling this an ‘achievement,’ while others say it’s a good thing– because even adult magazines need diversity! And others are pissed off that she’s being heralded by some as a Bollywood superstar, when she’s only been in a few movies.
So what do you guys think? Is this an accomplishment for Sherlyn (and India), or is this another sad day for the Women’s Movement?
P.S. Please see all pics in the gallery; I’m not sure, but I think Corey Feldman is in one of them. Which is awesome.
Sorry to say, but Sherlyn Chopra is hardly a Bollywood “legend”. Having grown up with Hindi movies running through my veins, I had never heard of her until this publicity stunt. As a woman of Indian origin, I feel extremely ambivalent about this. I appreciate her feminine empowerment, living life on her terms and giving a damn about what conservatives in her country care. However, I believe her motives are more for publicity than a cause. Furthermore, as an Indian woman, I don’t like the message she conveys. The Indian society is still sexist and she is not helping the objectification of women. As the first woman to do something this drastic (in the Indian eye), I would prefer a better ambassador who uses the pedestal to convey a deeper, national moral than “I also live my life on my terms and conditions”.
Ria, thanks for commenting! I’m just getting to these but I noticed that people on lots of other sites were pointing out that she’s not a big deal in Bollywood; Playboy’s trying to ‘sell’ her, ya know?
I think you bring up a great point about empowerment for women. When is an act liberating and when does it enforce and encourage even more sexism and objectification of women? Chopra may be doing the latter.
I am from India and she is definitely not even considered a Bollywood actress….shes just a fame hungry attention seeker who wants to make it big by going so low!
Women represent dignity, respect and elegance not this! She comes no where close to that. I did not even know who she was until i found out about the playboy cover.
Trust me NO ONE in India especially the ‘youth’ are proud of her…at the end of the day playboy is just a mere X rated magazine! She fails to understand that Hor*y men are going to look at her! I guess that is what she always wanted to achieve! Cheers girl….YOU DID IT!!!! LMFAO!
Niki, lol thanks for weighing in on this. I would never want to tell someone what their goals should and shouldn’t be… but… Playboy? I don’t quite see the “achievement” here either. But if you’re a model and you want more visibility, this is def one way to “achieve” that, lol. Thanks again for commenting!