Coldplay just dropped a new music video for their song "Hymn for the Weekend," and it's trending all over the Internet. Naturally, as with anything that comes from the music industry, it's elicited a lot of mixed responses. Much of these responses concern the fact that the video was shot in India, with Beyoncé acting as a Bollywood actress. I want to say that I can see why people love the song. The lyrics are wonderful. The visuals are shot incredibly well. The problem is that there is more that is problematic than wonderful. Let's pick it apart, shall we?

Beyonce herself is amazing, as usual; there is no argument there. Her voice is beautiful. The song wouldn't have been anywhere near as amazing if her vocals hadn't been there. However, my appreciation for her role stops right there. The video had so much potential to truly celebrate India and Indian talent. Why not take it? Beyonce is dressed up as a Bollywood actress (as if this is a costume one can put on), and that is so many levels of problematic. Her makeup and clothing in no way reflected Indian culture, they were not even authentic. Secondly, culture is not a costume. Beyonce could have been in the video without that level of appropriation, and I'm honestly so disappointed in her. I am suddenly reminded of when Iggy Azalea did her horrendously appropriative music video for Bounce—this may be more tasteful, but it's just as problematic.

Exciting news that Sonam Kapoor, an accomplished and award-winning Bollywood actress, was going to make an appearance was circulating before this video released. Everyone was excited—after all, finally, a western music group is going to do a music video in India and not enforce stereotypes! They are actually going to work with Indian talent in a way that respects and boosts them, not in one that takes advantage of them. Then the video dropped, and Sonam Kapoor had a cameo of just a few seconds. She runs across the screen, does a side profile, and throws flowers into the air. Beautiful? Yes. But why only a few seconds? Why not have her do what Beyonce does? The best way to pay homage to a country is by celebrating talent native to it. Beyonce and Sonam Kapoor could have teamed up in the video and done something together, and it would have been better. Anything other than what actually happened.

Now, let's address the visuals. The video features all the stereotypes that Hollywood loves to propagate: children that appear to be from slums, fire-breathers, spiritually learned/holy men, etc. These visuals may have been shot beautifully, but that doesn't mean they don't encourage the same troublesome stereotypes that already exist. India is more than slum children, and the country and its customs do not need to be made into something exotic. Understand India's rich and diverse history and culture; there are better ways to depict the country.

There were so many wonderful places this video could have gone. Beyonce could have had a part in it without reducing an entire culture to a costume (and one that doesn't even reference Indian traditional dress very well at that) and appropriating various parts of it. Coldplay could have teamed up with talented, notable Indian female voices such Shreya Goshal. They could have included visuals that went beyond the typical Holi/slum children/holy men. The problem is not that the song was Indian-influenced, it's that there is a fine line between appropriation and appreciation. India is more than just the age-old stereotype of "mystical land of snake charmers and slums." Do your research, and show it.

As an American-born Indian, things like this video are difficult to watch and think about. On the one hand, I'm thrilled that my culture is being appreciated and that other people get to see it. On the other hand? There are better ways to do it.

I appreciate that the artists' attempt to pay homage to the beautiful country that is India. In a way, that makes it so much more disappointing that they just went with age-old stereotypes instead.