Sonam Kapoor was once considered as someone who spoke without thinking; however, with time, the ‘Neerja’ actor has surely proved to be more mature. With the current #Metoo movement in regards to the disturbing sexual harassment, Sonam Kapoor shared her views in a recent interview with the Indian Express.
When the Bollywood actor was asked whether something Hollywood’s #MeToo campaign was similar to the campaign taking place in India, she said, “I wish there was. Unfortunately in India, there’s a lot of shame attached to it. If something happens to you, you just smile and pretend to be dumb. You just ignore it; pretend it didn’t happen because if you speak about it, you will get into more trouble. You are conditioned to think that way. It becomes a blemish on you. In India, it is so prevalent, eve teasing — we have been experiencing it since college where guys are hooting at you, that’s also harassment.”
Sonam Kapoor further added that she does not see change taking place any time soon. Women are pushed for stories and for roles. There is no equal pay. She didn’t just talk about female actors. Remembering an incident, she brought up that while talking to a guy who wanted her help, he explained that he’s trying to hire a person where he had two people in mind, a guy, and a girl, who was married. He seemingly told Sonam that she may get pregnant and won’t be able to work properly. Sonam then said that people hold these preconceived notions about women.
Unfolding her own experiences, Sonam allegedly shared that when she had gone to a theatre to watch a Raveena Tandon film, a man came behind her and groped her and ill-treated her, however, people don’t consider it as molestation. This is harassment. She was told by her team to remain silent, since her movie was about to release. She stressed on the fact that she was amused when her team asked her to not call herself a feminist.
Sonam Kapoor also stated, “Our conditioning is so deep and entrenched. If someone teased you at school, would you tell anybody? You will keep it to yourself. This mindset has to change.”