Deepak Perwani sparks outrage for fat-shaming journalist on live chat

It’s 2020 and Pakistani celebrities are still guilty of fat-shaming. Last week it was Amna Ilyas and this week it’s fashion designer Deepak Perwani.

In an Instagram live session with Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, Deepak while talking about fashion critics – including journalist Aamna Isani – had said: “Are they critics or the people who take money? They post reviews for money, even on Instagram”.

On referring to her, he said, “Agar front pay na behtao to moti shor kar rahi hoti hai, motiyan shor kar rahi hoti hain kay free ka bag nahi mila.”

“80% of the reviews are favourable to the people that they like,” he added.

Later, when asked to share his thoughts on the Lux Style Awards, Deepak said: ” We don’t allow you to nominate us, who are you to dominate us? Apnay kapray toh dekho. Kya pehan kar ati ho. Humay baatao gi kay kapray kya hotay hain.”

“You [Hassan] said this to me: ‘That woman, she doesn’t even know how to wear clothes herself and she is going to write a review about my clothes. She doesn’t even know what she is talking about’.”

“These are your words from five years ago,” Deepak said to Hassan.

Soon after the video from the live session went viral, social media users lashed out at Deepak for fat-shaming.

The way Deepak Perwani just fat-shamed Aamna Isani on an Insta conversation with HSY just shows how stars simply cannot accept criticism. You have to be their best friends and the day you negatively critique their work, you either lose access or have them making personal attacks

— Manal Faheem Khan 🇵🇸 (@ManalFaheemKhan) October 25, 2020

To body shame a journalist and to disregard the many years that she has dedicated to Pakistan’s fashion industry, in a public live chat, is uncalled for. @aamnaisani , this just isn’t worth your time.

— Maliha Rehman (@MalihaRehman) October 25, 2020

If ‘all critics are corrupt’, then all those who believe in it are idiots. I stand with @aamnaisani who has been around for more than 2 decades and has given Fashion Industry more than it has given her back. Instead of fat shaming her, we should be thanking her for her services!

— Omair Alavi عمیر علوی (@omair78) October 25, 2020

Absolutely. @aamnaisani is a gem of a journalist. Have to say anyone who resorts to such slurs is just bitter and sad. https://t.co/eRfZnknvnW

— Zebunnisa Burki (@zburki) October 25, 2020

My father, an actor for 50+ years, always says you can’t grow as a creative person w/o respecting humanity of your critics and not seeing criticism as a personal attack. This ridiculous comment only reflects poorly on Deepak & spectacularly on the quality of @aamnaisani’s work. https://t.co/4yaexSYIIu

— Zainab Imam (@zainabimam) October 25, 2020

Why are platforms provided to these people to air their ill conceived views?

— aneela shah (@eela5) October 25, 2020

Have huge respect for you. You are Pakistan’s foremost fashion and film journalist. It is thanks to you that a number of people in the fashion and film fraternity have found their bearings. More power to you.

— Zahir Rahimtoola (@zahirrahimtoola) October 25, 2020

Just saw the Deepak Perwani interview with HSY. Unsurprising, why was there no comment on male journos? And 'motis'? Reflects poorly on him. @aamnaisani has been doing fashion journalism since the 90s and is a veteran. Her work has value and merit.

— Mehr Husain (@mfhusayn) October 25, 2020

Interestingly, just a few days back, Aamna had lauded Deepak’s new upcoming collection Shalimar.

Beautiful 🌺

— AHI (@aamnaisani) October 22, 2020

Following the backlash, Deepak apologised to Aamna for his comments.

“I’m not the kind of person who would body shame anyone,” wrote the designer on Twitter. “My sincerest apologies for my choice of words. It just happened and was not meant to hurt anyone’s sentiments.”

@aamnaisani dear amna Im not the kind of person who would body shame anyone my sincerest apologies for my choice of words it just happened and was not meant to hurt anyone’s sentiments. With kindest regards deepak .

— Deepak perwani (@DPerwani) October 25, 2020

Deepak’s close friend designer Maheen Khan also encouraged everyone criticising to accept the apology and move on from the incident.

It takes a lot to apologise on a public forum like twitter .I hope we can all move forward in the spirit in which it was given .@aamnaisani @MalihaRehman @ManalFaheemKhan https://t.co/3u11BzfKjI

— Maheen Khan (@Maheenkhanpk) October 26, 2020