Bollywood actor Fatima Sana Shaikh has spoken about the deep-rooted patriarchy and microaggressions women continue to face in the film industry and wider society.
Shaikh addressed the issue during the trailer launch of her upcoming courtroom drama ‘Hunkkaar – The Roar’, where she discussed how societal conditioning can affect women regardless of their professional position or level of authority.
“Our beginning is two steps back,” Shaikh said, explaining that women are often expected to prove themselves before being given the same opportunities as men.
She said women are capable and aware of what they want, but societal conditioning often prevents them from being heard.
“It tells you, ‘wait a minute, prove yourself first,’” she added.
‘Patriarchy is not only the fault of men’
Shaikh said patriarchy cannot be attributed only to men, arguing that women can also internalise the same attitudes because they are raised within the same social structures.
“Patriarchy is not only the fault of men. There are also women in it. They are also included. It internalizes,” she said.
“We are all born in the same conditioning. And we have to fight it,” the actor added, describing the conditioning as deeply ingrained.
Shaikh recalls experiences in film industry
Reflecting on her own career, Shaikh recalled attending meetings for female-focused projects where she was sometimes the only woman in the room.
She said the contradiction became apparent when discussions centred on giving women a voice while women themselves were not always given space to express their views.
Shaikh also spoke about inappropriate jokes and mansplaining in professional settings, including situations where men attempted to tell women how they should feel about issues involving violence against women.
She said women need to learn to stand up for themselves and confront such behaviour.
Fatima Sana Shaikh to play police officer in Hunkkaar
Shaikh will explore similar themes through her upcoming film Hunkkaar – The Roar, in which she plays a no-nonsense police officer.
The courtroom drama is produced by Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment in association with Priyanka Chopra’s Purple Pebble Pictures and Mangata Films Production.
The film is directed by Karan D Kapadia and Nitya Mehra and is scheduled to stream on JioHotstar from September 25.
