This week on We Women Want, we caught up with two feisty actors, Neena Gupta and Sarika. The duo were in conversation with NewsX’s Devika Chopra.
Here are some excerpts from the interview, which will be aired this weekend.
ROLES FOR WOMEN
When asked if roles for women have diversified in Indian cinema, Neena Gupta said, “It’s changing, but it’s just the beginning of the change. For example, I’ve played some very good parts in the past. You see how many biopics are being made on women now. OTT is changing a lot, because there’s no pressure from the box office.”
Sarika said, “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being a good wife or a good mother. These are serious things in life. Being a good wife, mother, and homemaker—I look at it as different facets of a woman’s life.”
She added, “Initially, women mostly had relationship roles—sister, mother, girlfriend, vamp – they were somebody’s relative. Things have improved significantly since then.”
SOCIETAL CHANGE
The interview touched upon the impact of a male-led film industry. Did it result in the perpetuation of a mindset that resulted in the harassment of young women? Neena Gupta doesn’t agree entirely.
She says, “Our society is like that, so cinema will reflect it. How much has society changed? Maybe there’s 0.1% change, and that too in cities. Small towns are still the same, where a woman is just good for bearing children, having sex, and looking after the house. Do you think they enjoy sex? I don’t think so.”
Sarika was quick to rectify the question and said, “First of all, let’s not say in the industry. This is an issue everywhere, it’s not an industry issue.’
She adds, “What worries me is what you’re doing to the women out there, the insecurity you’re building in them. You’re telling them that just to sell products, your hair, and skin need to look better, and your teeth have to be straight. These are very commercial pressures.”
PERCEPTION
On whether a lack of diverse roles in real life is to blame for how women perceive other women, Neena believes, “Girls are earning today, and the divorce rate is going up. Back in the day, girls weren’t educated, and couldn’t earn money. So whatever their husbands and in-laws said, she had to do. Basically, it all boils down to money. Sometimes I feel we learned the wrong lesson: that money isn›t everything and can’t buy everything. I think money can.”
SEXISM
When asked why male actors get a free pass to play glamorous heroes well into their 60s, Neena says, “Our society is like that. A 60-year-old man can be married to a 28-year-old woman, but does the reverse happen? It doesn›t, so how will it happen in cinema? It’s a male-dominated world.”
Sarika feels, “It’s beautiful to see a love story where the woman is younger. But it has to be a one-off thing, this can’t be the norm. However, that›s a very big change we›re talking about. I think we should discuss it more, but all these changes need to come from the top.
We asked both the actors about the most crucial advice she has ever given to her daughter.
Neena said, “I’ve told her two things. One is to have self-esteem, because I noticed very late that I had very low self-esteem. That is why I suffered a lot in my life. Also, eventually, your family is very important. Tomorrow, when one doesn’t have as much work,and you grow older, one needs a family. “
Sarika said, “I don’t like to give advice, because I feel everybody’s life is different and they’re different individuals. So it might not apply to them. You have your own set of tools to work with. I’m happy that they’ve turned out to be strong, hardworking women.’