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28 March 2024

Hymn for Weekend: Why Sonam hot on Coldplay [video]

Published
By Bindu Rai

Sonam Kapoor is on a high these days, shrugging off the Coldplay video controversy, while calling the corresponding backlash created by people being 'stupid'.

The actress, who was in Dubai to promote her upcoming film 'Neerja', spoke about her cameo in the British rock band's latest music video, 'Hymn For The Weekend', which has been at the centre of controversy since its release for sparking a debate about cultural appropriation.

To watch the video… click here

While the song's airplay has generated criticism for fuelling the western stereotype of 'exotic India', collaborator Beyonce has also been on the receiving end with her turn as a Bollywood ‘diva’ in the video, as she stands accused of transforming a cultural representation into a kitsch costume drama.

To read fan reaction… click here

In a chat with Emirates 24|7, Kapoor lashed back at the critics, saying: "It is a music video; people need to stop."

The actress, who appears in three shots at the end of the 4.21-minute video, hinted at social media being the culprit of this negative onslaught.

She stated: "Unfortunately, with social media, this is life now. People just wanna talk a lot and people are really stupid about certain things.

"I don't take these things seriously."

The actress talked about her decision to star in the Coldplay video, describing it as her fan-moment in life.

"I've been a huge fan of Coldplay since I was in school. One of my earliest memories of that time is listening to 'Yellow'," recalled Kapoor. "So when they were like, 'there is this small three shots stint in a Coldplay video, will you do it?', I simply jumped at the chance."

The caveat, though, was a promise of backstage VIP passes at a Coldplay concert for life.

"I was like, do I get backstage VIP passes for Coldplay for the rest of my life?" she laughed.

However, her enthusiasm may have fallen on deaf ears of critics who have pointed a finger at Kapoor for associating herself with a video at the centre of a storm.

Kapoor just shakes her head and says: "Even my mom told me, if she got to be in a Beatles video back in the day, she would have done it.

"For me that's what it is. I've grown up on Coldplay, I've grown up on Oasis and U2; that is my high school experience. For millennials it may be a Justin Bieber video. Why wouldn't I walk across a frame?

"This would be a great story to tell my grandkids someday."

Sonam Kapoor's shout-out to E24|7 readers

Kapoor confessed she didn't actually have the opportunity to shoot with Coldplay due to security concerns at the time.

"I was supposed to go and meet them the day before and meet them while they were shooting and actually film with them," she revealed. "But there was a full security issue and my own security went and sussed the area and didn't let me go.

"So the next day they shot with me solo, as Coldplay had to fly out."

She continued: "I think I am meeting them in June on my birthday when I will go watch their concert. Remember, free VIP passes for the rest of my life."