It’s not Sonakshi’s take on Deepika’s video; it is her take on the issue that’s truly inspiring!
Deepika Padukone has garnered a lot of attention for her recently released women empowerment video, My Choice. There are many who are thoroughly in support of the short film but there are also many who have been offended by the anti-men sentiment the video projects. As far as I’m concerned my first impression of the film was that it was confusing… while I feel that the video had its heart in the right place (figuratively), it did not really give out the right message. It covered gender equality in a very superficial manner- what I wear, what I weigh. Basically, the video failed to convince me of the seriousness of the issue. And it wasn’t just the content, even Deepika as the face of women empowerment seemed not-so-convincing. So she stood up for herself once, but why should that mean that she should now be perceived as a feminist? But then I heard Sonakshi say this…
“Women empowerment is not always about the kind of clothes you wear, not about who you want to have sex with or stuff like that. It’s about employment, strength. It’s a very good initiative. It’s coming from a good space, but honestly I believe empowerment should be given to the women who actually need it.”
And that was it! This is what was wrong with the video, though I could not pin point it before. The video was too urbane and represented women who had the privilege of making a choice only by virtue of their birth; women who’ve been born and brought up with the luxury of having a choice.
I was surprised by Sonakshi’s insights. Surprised because you don’t really expect someone that young, that rich, that comfortable to understand the depravity of the situation. And I had the shocking realization that all this while, without actually saying or intending, Sonakshi has been championing the cause of empowering women more than anyone else in the industry.
I mean look at her age and look at how much she’s achieved. Look at how she changed the body image stereotype. When she debuted, there were inhibitions about her being able to make it big in Bollywood. Because, you know, she did not have the “perfect figure.” But that didn’t stop her. She went on, did films with some of the top actors, made her mark in the industry and proved her haters wrong.
And her star status does not keep her from speaking up for herself. She wouldn’t let a lowly imbecile (read Kamaal R Khan) ridicule her. She gave it back to him nice when he put her in one of his random polls on Twitter, apparently to judge the sexiest butt in Bollywood. While most actresses avoid any confrontation with the man who’s known for his “decent” and “respectful” ways, Sonakshi dared to give a snappy comeback to the pervert who instantly chickened out.
I remembered all the times I’ve wanted to slap an eve teaser but never mustered the courage to do so. I realized then, that I should have because all the KRKs in the world will bully you as long as you let them and do not speak up for yourself.
‘Actions speak louder than words’ is not just an idiom and Sonakshi is the best example to prove it. She has unknowingly been inspiring women all over the country with her determination and courage. That is the mark of a strong woman! That is what ‘woman empowerment’ stands for!