Coldplay video sparks Twitter outrage over Indian stereotypes

'Hymn For The Weekend' receives backlash for cultural appropriation

British rock band Coldplay's new single Hymn For The Weekend video, which also features singer Beyoncé Knowles and Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor, has sparked a debate on its Indian inspiration.

The video, which released on Friday, became a topic of debate among the Twitterati, with some calling it a 'stereotypical' portrayal of the country.

While some slammed the video for cultural appropriation, others defended the Mumbai-shot video calling it as an appreciation of the foreign culture.

I adore Beyoncé for embracing my culture. In a country where I'm a "terrorist" I have never felt more accepted. ❤🙌 pic.twitter.com/4v3ribYlWd

— Bzzz Bitch! 𐚁 (@BuzzingBey) January 29, 2016

https://twitter.com/Seauxmali/status/693129478868967424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/ArtisticJackson/status/693125989950423040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

PHOTO: TWITTER



Detractors took aim at both Coldplay band -- comprising Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion, and Beyoncé on Twitter.

While Beyoncé's appearance dressed up as a Bollywood star faced a backlash, some pointed out that this isn't the first time Coldplay has 'used or misused' Asian culture in its videos.
https://twitter.com/MusicsRebellion/status/693220940918996992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw



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 Beyoncé  as a glamorous Bollywood diva and Sonam walking among ruins in an ethnic attire.

PHOTO: TWITTER

It also gives a sneak-peak into Indian classical dance forms, and features Coldplay's frontman 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.



PHOTO: TWITTER

Here are some of the Tweets sparking the hot debate:
https://twitter.com/My_DesiGirl/status/693227406606249984

When Beyoncé gets in trouble for cultural appropriation...nobody is safe. Beyoncé never gets in trouble for anything!

— RAVEN ELYSE (@RavenElyseTV) January 29, 2016

No thanks for the bundle of stereotypes @coldplay. No wonder then that #India will be known as the country of snake charmers & sadhus.

— Sneha Menon Desai (@MissusDesai) January 29, 2016

https://twitter.com/missodessa/status/693134865592512513
https://twitter.com/Fashionopolis/status/693101493277319168

@coldplay don't exoticize us. You've been to the clubs and everything.Why do you want to make it seem like all we do is dance in the streets

— r (@BiryaniZiall) January 29, 2016

i dont even know what to say about this coldplay video except can white rock bands please stop filming holi videos in india, thank you.

— ahmed ali akbar (@radbrowndads) January 29, 2016

Hey @coldplay collaborations with @Beyonce and @rihanna are great. Cultural Appropriation isn't. #HymnForTheWeekend pic.twitter.com/PjtE5B3prn

— Furquan Akhtar (@furquan) January 29, 2016

So upset by @coldplay using my culture as a prop for their music video. India isn't just street kids and exotic women. #HymnForTheWeekend

— Atiya Hasan, MD (@AtiyaHasan05) January 29, 2016

The video captures the essence of Mumbai, which is also known as the city of dreams, with visuals from its streets. The clip has been directed by Ben Mor.

Watch here: