Los Angeles, Jan 31 (IANS) British rock band Coldplay’s music video for the single “Hymn for the Weekend”, which earlier sparked a row for its “stereotypical” portrayal of India, is now facing criticism for singer Beyonce Knowles’ cameo.
The “Crazy in Love” singer has been slammed by many for donning a sari in the music video, reports aceshowbiz.com.
The video also features Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor.
Shot in Mumbai, the video follows the band interacting with locals and being thrown coloured powders, which is part of the Holi festival.
At one point, the locals watch Knowles through a cinema box and in a wide-screen cinema. She sports two costumes in the film, one that shows her cleavage and the other that shows her in a sari and intricate jewellery.
However, some people are offended that Knowles was wearing a traditional headscarf that’s supposed to represent a woman’s level of humility.
“The Coldplay video is beaut. It’s artistic and stunning. But Beyonce wearing ‘Indian style’ jewellery and clothes is not okay,” one user wrote on Twitter.
Another commented: “Yikes that video with Coldplay and Beyonce is so disappointing… why can’t they film without appropriating culture.”
One person also pointed out how Sonam was only briefly featured in the video.
“My, Sonam looks adorable for the half-sec she’s in it for. But that ‘Hymn for the Weekend’ video is some fairly uninspired cultural appropriation,” a fan wrote.
Someone else wrote: “Expecting ‘Hymn for the Weekend’ to inspire further cultural appropriation. Maybe Kanye featuring Katy Perry with some English Morris dancers?”
“Hymn for the weekend” is the latest single from the band’s new album “A Head Full of Dreams”. The video of the much hyped song seems to be a leaf out of a book on India, with Knowles as a glamorous Bollywood diva and Sonam walking among ruins in an ethnic attire.
It also gives a sneak-peak into Indian classical dance forms, and features Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin enjoying touristy things — from exploring India with a ride in a ‘black and yellow’ taxi, and even in a boat on a ghat, to celebrating the festival of colours in Mumbai.