According to Social Media Week, Marketwatch claimed that one celebrity endorsement can spike an increase in sales by 4%, almost immediately. Imagine, the awareness a celebrity can spread with their social media, using their power and fame to help the society. Some celebrities don’t shy away from fulfilling their responsibilities that come with fame and speak on the social issues as and when required. Nowadays, not just celebrities, even their kids don’t step back from raising their voice to bring a change in their society, spread awareness or just share their experience. After Navya Naveli Nanda spoke about her struggles with anxiety, Suhana Khan shared her experience with a powerful message to end colourism. (Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan's Grandson, Agastya Nanda Makes Quirky Instagram Debut, Suhana Khan And Navya React)
On September 29, 2020, Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan’s daughter, Suhana Khan had shared a powerful post to ‘end colourism’, revealing that she has been called ‘ugly’ since the age of 12. Suhana had also posted some screenshots of the nasty comments she had received for her complexion and in her strongly-worded post on ending colourism. While her friends in the US and the industry people had lauded her for her befitting reply to the trolls, it had also triggered new trolls which involved her superstar father, Shah Rukh. Netizens had called Suhana’s post, a height of hypocrisy as while she had penned a long note emphasising to end colourism, Shah Rukh endorses fairness cream.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Gauri Khan expressed her thoughts on her daughter, Suhana Khan’s ‘end colourism’ note. When asked to comment on Suhana opening up on her experience with colourism, Gauri proudly said, "I think it is time we stop discriminating on the basis of the colour of our skin, and I am proud of her for standing up for herself." Revealing how it was to spend time with family during the lockdown, especially Shah Rukh Khan who is busy with shooting schedules, Gauri remarked, “We spent a lot of time together as a family, which is otherwise not possible, given everyone’s schedule. So that’s been nice.”
Suhana Khan has always impressed us with her impeccable sense of style and with the short glimpses we had seen of her acting, we are sure she is genetically blessed with talent. But things aren’t as easy as it seems to be for the star-kid as in her strongly-worded post on ending colourism, which could be read as “There's a lot going on right now and this is one of the issues we need to fix!! this isn't just about me, it's about every young girl/boy who has grown up feeling inferior for absolutely no reason. Here are just a few of the comments made about my appearance. I've been told I'm ugly because of my skin tone, by full grown men and women, since I was 12 years old.” (Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan Gives A Savage Reply To A Fan Asking His Plans To Sell His Bungalow, 'Mannat')
Speaking about the notions of beauty that social media and matchmaking sites have convinced people to believe and that she is happy to be 5'3 and brown, Suhana Khan ended her note with the hashtag, End Colourism, “Other than the fact that these are actual adults, what's sad is that we are all Indian, which automatically makes us brown - yes we come in different shades but no matter how much you try to distance yourself from the melanin, you just can't. Hating on your own people just means that you are painfully insecure. I'm sorry if social media, Indian matchmaking or even your own families have convinced you, that if you're not 5"7 and fair you're not beautiful. I hope it helps to know that I'm 5"3 and brown and I am extremely happy about it and you should be too. #endcolourism.”
Once in an interview with Vogue, Gauri Khan was asked if there’s an item of jewellery she would like to gift to her daughter, Suhana Khan. To which, she had retorted, “My mother's polki set, the one that she had worn for her wedding. It is very special to my heart, so I would like Suhana to have it.” Revealing the first piece of jewellery Shah Rukh Khan had gifted her, Gauri had said, “A gold wedding band.” In the same Indian Express interview, Gauri revealed one jewellery or accessory she could wear on a day and why, “My grandmother’s ring. I loved it growing up; it seemed larger than life with all its colours. Either I am wearing it or it is in my bag, but it is always with me.” (Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan Gives A Perfect Reply On Being Questioned About His 29th Anniversary Gift To Gauri)
It was indeed brave of Suhana to speak up on her experience and taking a step towards eliminating the skin colour bias in India.
