‘The essential factor is to TRY and do the correct factor.’
‘To do not forget that the general public’s eyes are on us on a regular basis. So attempt to be in your greatest behaviour as a lot as attainable.’

IMAGE: Farhan Akhtar. {Photograph}: Sort courtesy Farhan Akhtar/Instagram

In dialog with Subhash Okay Jha, Farhan Akhtar displays on the continuing battle for ladies’s security in India and the function public figures should play in shaping social attitudes.

A vocal advocate for gender equality, Farhan acknowledges that whereas progress has been made, it stays gradual and inadequate within the face of rising crimes towards ladies.

He emphasises that growing consciousness and the rising willingness of girls to talk out about their trauma mark essential steps ahead.

On the identical time, he believes celebrities as we speak are being held to larger requirements of accountability, particularly in how they discuss ladies.

For Farhan, fame brings accountability, not simply to entertain but in addition to behave as a socially aware citizen striving to set a optimistic instance.

“A minimum of now there’s a specific amount of restraint, accountability, accountability and dignity in the way in which males within the public eye should discuss ladies,” says Farhan. “That, in response to me, is a radical change within the perspective.”

 

IMAGE: Pavail Gulati and Taapsee Pannu in Thappad.

Do you suppose the security measures for ladies are sufficient?

It’s by no means sufficient! There may be at all times room for extra measures to make sure ladies’s security. Daily the crime price grows.

Do you are feeling annoyed and bitter?

No, I might somewhat concentrate on discovering additional options somewhat than crying over points that plague ladies.

Progress in Addressing Girls’s Security

IMAGE: Kirti Kulhari and Taapsee Pannu in P.I.N.Okay.

How a lot progress have we made in offering security for ladies?

We’re making progress. Perhaps they’re child steps .The issue (of intercourse crimes) is rising bigger and we’re unable to maintain up with the pressures of dealing with the crimes.

There may be extra social consciousness of the problems. And the explanation why we’re addressing problems with sexual violation extra vocally is as a result of an increasing number of ladies are coming ahead to talk about their very own trauma.

Which they smothered earlier on?

For the longest time the unspeakable crimes towards ladies that occurred at house or work by no means got here out as a result of ladies by no means felt empowered sufficient to talk out.

The tendency to hush up is on the decline. And that to me is a really optimistic improvement.

However the resolution to intercourse crimes towards ladies is way from resolved.

I perceive simply addressing the problems shouldn’t be sufficient. We have to go a lot additional that. However the fixed debate has additionally introduced into focus the problem of public utterances made by celebrities.

Luckily we have reached a stage the place males have to suppose a number of occasions earlier than they make any feedback on ladies.

Superstar Accountability and Social Points

IMAGE: Kani Kusruti and Taapsee Pannu in Assi.

Celebrities must be extra cautious in that space.

Fortunately, the times when celebrities shot out statements flying freely and careless round, are over. A minimum of now there’s a specific amount of restraint, accountability , accountability and dignity in the way in which males within the public eye should discuss ladies. That in response to me, is a radical change within the perspective.

What about celebrities addressing social points?

It is actually not sufficient anymore to say one is right here solely to entertain and never reform society. That is simply an escapist perspective. The celeb standing comes with a accountability. Nonetheless I actually would not need to touch upon what others do or ought to do. I can solely communicate for myself.

So communicate?

To me, it is vitally essential to be a socially accountable citizen whereas working in my varied different capacities as actor filmmaker and singer. It is essential to attempt to be one of the best human being that one might be. That does not imply you attempt to be or do issues that you’re not.

Everybody makes errors. I’m fairly sure I’ve made my share of errors.

However the essential factor is to TRY and do the correct factor. To do not forget that the general public’s eyes are on us on a regular basis. So attempt to be in your greatest behaviour as a lot as attainable.

One might not at all times succeed. However there’s a lot to be mentioned in favour of a honest try to do the correct factor.

Pictures curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff