Recently, actor Girija Oak went viral for her blue saree look, the conversation around it was really disappointing. Rather than talking about her elegance or her rise to prominence on screen, social media users sexualised her photos and spoke of how much she resembled Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney.
In a recent interview,Girija admitted that she was amused by the comparisons, but her reaction also brought to the fore a disturbing reality-that no matter what a woman wears, she's often reduced to how others choose to look at her.
Instagram: @girijaoakgodbole
The saree has long been considered India's most traditional and "respectable" garment. Yet, time and again, it has been turned into a tool of sensuality and spectacle.
From Parveen Babi's glam saree in Kaalia to Aishwarya Rai's stylized drapes-the saree has often been projected through a sexualised perspective. Alia Bhatt and Malaika Arora today bear similar treatment for their bold fashion choices, proof once again that objectification is not about the outfit but the gaze framing it.
The reaction to Girija’s blue saree moment once again exposes the flaws of the “what was she wearing?” mentality, the tendency to blame women’s clothing for the harassment, objectification, or violence they face.
When the blame for “inviting” attention falls on a woman in jeans or a short dress and a woman in a saree ,the epitome of modesty , gets sexualised too, what’s left to blame but the viewer’s perception?
It's not about the fabric or the fashion; it's the mindset that sees women's bodies as public property, open to comments, judgment, and control. Time to change the conversation As the conversation on women's safety, consent, and freedom evolves, this viral moment of Girija Oak reminds people that progress isn't about changing the dress code; it's changing perspectives.
Until society learns to differentiate between admiration and objectification, and fashion from consent, no outfit , not even a saree ,will ever be “safe.” Maybe it's time we stop questioning what women wear, and start questioning how we look at them.
