Life & Style

Coldplay video sparks Twitter outrage over Indian stereotypes

'Hymn For The Weekend' receives backlash for cultural appropriation

Ians January 31, 2016

PHOTO: TWITTER

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

Sonam, Beyonce to star in Coldplay's next music video

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

Pakistani designer's taxi art features in Coldplay's latest video

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.

Obama to feature on Coldplay’s new track

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:

COMMENTS (18)

fact is fact | 8 years ago | Reply @Sardar KHAN: This is so hilarious of you that the points you shared in to address @Rahul 's comments are the same what I said in my previous post. To summarize your point, India and Pakistan are less secular day by day. Come on man, read it carefully what I say. If you think telling truth are hateful comments then be it. May be you have less information on subjects and that is why you don't take my points as points not hate. For you sake, I m Pakistani not Indian. I support on things that would yield good results for the society. Im not a nationalist and do not support any nation with old age ideologies.

Sardar KHAN | 8 years ago | Reply @Rahul: Your logic doesn't make sense at all.Can you tell what percent Muslims in india are on the top considering the 10% are Muslims population are Muslims.The Muslims who are on top in their profession have to work 50 times more than a hindu to achieve this.It is a myth that india is secular and since Modi's rise to power it is going down hill every day whether you accept it or not.Facts are facts.I have seen your hateful comments on other world media as well.I think you are a paid troll for the indian agencies

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

LS | 8 years ago | Reply @fact is fact: If the local Muslims needed more participation they would get educated and NOT go to madarsa or would integrate into larger society. No one is stopping them from acquiring education. There are almost very little Muslim representation in top tier competitive colleges despite them being 25% of the population. All these colleges are government owned and fees is nominal. It is more about the culture than competition.

fact is fact | 8 years ago | Reply @Rahul: Do you know how many muslims have to compete out of how many hindus to get the acceptance and respect that they deserve (same follows with Pakistan)? Tough to answer this. Pakistan or India as becoming less and less secular.

Rahul | 8 years ago | Reply @Sardar KHAN: Let's not start this argument. If you give me one incident of violence I can give you ten incidents of secularism. India is the only country in the world which has the gumption to promote its minorities. It has Muslims at top positions in almost every field. We've had Muslim presidents, vice presidents, Bollywood superstars, cricket captains, heads of nuclear programmes, top industrialists among others. Name one Muslim country which has a non Muslim at a top position. Just because you say it doesn't make India non secular.

Rahul | 8 years ago | Reply @Pakistani: It's YOU who needs to read it carefully. He says he's grateful to Beyonce to embrace 'his' culture. Now he feels accepted in a country which regards him as a terrorist because of what Beyonce did. He's obviously talking about America. Why would Indians suddenly "accept" a Muslim in India if Beyonce embraces Indian culture?

DesiAtheist | 8 years ago | Reply @Pakistani, it seems you have a major comprehension problem. @BuziingBey is a desi american and talking about USA and not India

akm INDIAN | 8 years ago | Reply @Pakistani: he is talking about USA , you mo....

TiffinBox | 8 years ago | Reply @Pakistani I am considered a Terrorist in my country (TiffinBox was made in India) and the objection by fellow Indian is what I am about too.

Sardar KHAN | 8 years ago | Reply @Rahul: Are you sure they are actual peoples names or synonymously names used by RAW's agents to give some credibility.I am sure it is Indian's habit to use Muslim sounding names in world media all the time.So don't present this as a proof of indian Muslims are happy with the atrocious behaviour of majority hindhus with them.Don't try to fool people with your wrong assumptions all the time.

IndianGuy | 8 years ago | Reply @Pakistani: That guy is actually an Indian American. So, when says in a country where he is being considered a terrorist, he means America not India.

charu | 8 years ago | Reply @Pakistani: bhai, i dont think he is referring to India...he is talking about USA generalizing muslims as "terrorists" and then embraing "indian" culture...which thankfully and whole heartedly includes muslims!!!!

Striver | 8 years ago | Reply Their "outrage" stems from the need to show a different face to the world then unpleasant and hideous face behind the mask.Just like "Bollywood" which is so totally unrepresentative of the real Indian culture, they want to appear more "western" then the west. It all stems from the need to wanting to be something you're not; a dislike of own culture; lack of confidence.

Asad ali | 8 years ago | Reply Great video,What's wrong in it?

Bunny Rabbit | 8 years ago | Reply Now that floppy Sonam has something to tell her grand kids - " I played a small role in this notorious English vedio ". Post 30 with a string of flops , I think this is the best thing that has happened to her .

Pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply @Rahul: did you read what @BuziingBey tweeted about being considered 'terrorist'? That's definitely 'Indian secularism'.

Rahul | 8 years ago | Reply Notice how most of these Twitteratis are Muslims defending their country India? That's secularism.

Fahad | 8 years ago | Reply I watched this video, it's more than perfect! I don't know why these people are overreacting.

Replying to X