Juhi Parmar, popularly known for the television show Kumkum, has penned an open letter to the new Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. In her letter, she shared her experience of taking her 10-year-old daughter to watch the film. However, Parmar and her daughter walked out of the theatre after watching only 10–15 minutes of the movie. It's worth noting that the film carries a PG-13 rating.
On Monday, Parmar shared a four-page open letter on her Instagram account addressed to the new Barbie movie. In the caption, she expressed awareness that some of her audience might not agree with her views and anticipated potential criticism.
However, she felt compelled to share her thoughts as a concerned parent addressing Barbie. Parmar also advised other parents to be cautious and check the content before taking their children to watch the film, emphasising that the decision ultimately rests with them.
Check out her post here
Juhi Parmar On Barbie
The actor, Parmar, started her note by acknowledging her mistake of not checking the movie's ratings before taking her daughter to watch it. Subsequently, she criticised the film for its "inappropriate language and sexual connotations," expressing her disappointment. Parmar shared how she felt shocked, heartbroken, and anxious, realising the unsuitable content she had exposed her child to. Within 10–15 minutes of the movie's start, she decided to walk out of the theatre and also observed other parents doing the same, with some children crying. She further emphasised that the film's content was not even suitable for children above the age of 13, surpassing the PG-13 rating.
Her open letter has faced significant criticism online, with many users calling her out for not watching the entire film before forming her opinion. One user commented on her Instagram post, suggesting that she should have watched the entire movie to have a more informed perspective. They pointed out that the movie's PG-13 rating is due to its deeper themes, which might not be easily grasped by younger children. The user also criticised the actor for not providing specific examples of what she found inappropriate in the film.
Additionally, the user argued that her frustration might stem from the movie's portrayal of Barbie as a fully developed woman, breaking away from the idealised image that has been promoted to children. The user concluded that a more thorough review, whether with or without her child, could have resulted in a more thoughtful critique.
Another user responded to Parmar's open letter, stating that it is not the film's responsibility to parent her child. They emphasised the importance of reading the movie's ratings and making an informed decision before taking a child to watch it. The user also pointed out that Barbie has often been sexualised in various forms, and Parmar should have been aware of this.
Another user mentioned that they had already anticipated that the movie wouldn't be child-friendly just from watching the trailers.
Yet another user highlighted that the makers of the Barbie doll itself have played a role in promoting inappropriate standards for children, citing the doll's dresses, body curvature, and overall appearance as problematic examples.
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