Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon has once again used her platform to highlight the subtle yet deeply ingrained gender biases that persist in the film industry. In a recent interview with NDTV, the acclaimed star candidly discussed how she has experienced instances of inequality and the need for a fundamental shift in mindset.
Drawing a parallel to her own upbringing, Kriti shared that she was raised in a household where both her parents, as working professionals, shared responsibilities equally, instilling a sense of gender equality from a young age. She noted that while her mother fought for her right to get an education, she, in turn, ensured that Kriti and her sister Nupur were free to pursue their dreams without gender-based restrictions.
“It’s Not About the Car, It’s About the Mindset”
Kriti revealed that while she hasn’t faced extreme discrimination, she has encountered “little things” that made her feel undermined compared to her male co-stars. “It hasn’t happened too many times, but little things like the male actor getting a better car or a better room… It’s not about the car, but about not making me feel smaller because I’m a woman. Just make it equal,” she explained.
She pointed out that these issues are not always a matter of malicious intent but rather ingrained habits that need to be challenged. Kriti specifically called out a common practice on film sets. “Sometimes even ADs have a habit of calling the female actor first and waiting for the male actor later. I’ve had to tell them not to do that. The mindset needs to change,” she stated, emphasizing that true equality requires changing unconscious biases that affect daily operations.
Upcoming Projects After Acclaimed Production Debut
On the work front, Kriti Sanon was last seen in and also served as a producer for the Netflix film Do Patti, a mystery thriller which also starred Kajol. The film, which marked Kriti’s production debut, was well-received by audiences and critics and became the most-watched Netflix India Original of the year.
The actress has a busy schedule ahead. She will next be seen opposite Dhanush in Aanand L. Rai’s romantic drama, Tere Ishk Mein, scheduled to release on November 28 this year. She has also been confirmed as the female lead in Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3 opposite Ranveer Singh and is set to star in Cocktail 2 alongside Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna, a film that has reportedly begun filming.