Diwali Barbie Doll might celebrate my culture but she's too light-skinned to reflect real Indian heritage

Released for the first time in the UK, the new Diwali Barbie Doll is dressed in a beautiful, colourful sari reflecting the festive attire worn during the Hindu Festival of Lights.

Adorned with intricate jewellery, bangles (chura), earrings, necklace, and a bindi on her forehead, they symbolise connection to Indian traditions. Mattel claims it’s a respectful representation of Indian culture. But is it?

The new Diwali Barbie might blend both traditional Indian elements with the Barbie brand, but critics argue the doll reinforces stereotypes by presenting a simplistic view of Indian culture.

For me it’s more skin deep than that. As a 42-year-old biracial Indian, Malaysian, European woman I have battled against Western beauty standards my entire life – now Mattel's new Barbie is a harsh reminder that world doesn't accept South Asian Women for the way we really look.

I have worked as a commercial model and make-up artist since I was 18. But too often I was considered too fair, or too dark, or not ethnic enough or not short enough for my casting directors.

I’ve been told, “You’re pretty for an Asian girl”, given the nickname Punjabi Barbie and had colour contacts and foundation two shades lighter used on my skin and was pushed to endorse skin whitening and brightening creams, although I never used them myself.

For Asian Bridal Magazines I was dressed in extravagant clothing but inside I felt ashamed to be Indian.

I may have been able to play a part in representing my culture but in reality I was made to feel that my skin colour was holding me back.

Before this latest collaboration between the noted Indian designer Anita Dongre and Mattel, Indian Barbie first went on sale in 1996 in the home market of India, where it failed.

Further attempts were made but to no success. In her research, Priti Nemani found that Mattel's approach of “repackaging Barbie in a variety of ethnicities" with only “superficial ethnic and racial modifications” did not resonate with Indian consumers.

Today’s Barbie is no different. Yet again, our cultural symbols – like bindis – have been commercialised, been manipulated to fit Western beauty standards, undermining the diversity they’re meant to represent.

As Bollywood models and actresses like blue-eyed Aishwarya Rai and Alia Bhatt have milky, unblemished skin and we’ve once again reduced to lighter skin tones, with Eurocentric features dominating the design.

What does this say when we're not looking to those like Simone Ashley, Avantika Vandanapu and Mindy Kaling? They are all stunning dusky darker beauties representing South Asian women in Hollywood – we need to see them as Barbies – a more authentic and inclusive portrayals of Indian culture.

If we don't, where does that leave representation of South Asian women? Are we valid not enough for a Barbie Doll to be created for us?

As the Barbie movie says, “We have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we’re always doing it wrong.”