From Priyanka Chopra To Anushka Sharma, These Actresses Spoke Up On Feminism & Taught The World A Lesson

The Bollywood industry is filled with strong, opinionated and empowering women who keep inspiring us on a regular basis. We have seen these incredible ladies taking up stands many times for important issues, earning them not only recognition for their outstanding acting skills, but also for their fabulous personalities.

In an era when many people are scared to identify as feminists, these powerful Bollywood women are not only proud to call themselves unapologetic feminists, but they are also teaching a valuable lesson about it while expressing their views.

Take a look at some of Bollywood's most powerful women, from Priyanka Chopra to Anushka Sharma to Taapsee Pannu, who have spoken out about feminism and taught an important lesson:

1. Alia Bhatt

A debate emerged in 2016 about if Alia Bhatt is a feminist or not. This happened because in the same year, Alia Bhatt gave an interview to a Cosmopolitan magazine and the magazine's cover proudly said ‘Alia Bhatt – on Fashion, FOMO and why she’s Not a feminist.’

This led to many people debating, trolling and sending her hate messages. To this outrage, Alia Bhatt wrote a clearifying message, "To clarify, I absolutely AM a feminist. To deny feminism would be to deny equality for my gender. What I *meant* to say was that I’m not an active part of a feminist campaign right now!! That’s it :)."

To clarify, I absolutely AM a feminist. To deny feminism would be to deny equality for my gender.

— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) September 13, 2016

What I *meant* to say was that I'm not an active part of a feminist campaign right now. That's it :)

— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) September 13, 2016

Alia Bhatt's actual words in the interview were, "I don’t think most people understand what a feminist really means. To be honest, I wouldn’t call myself a feminist, either. I think the phrase is a heavy one. I’m often asked–‘Are you a feminist?’ ‘Do you have issues with men?’ My response is simple; that a feminist is a woman who supports women. She doesn’t hate men."

In another interview with news agency PTI in 2017, she said, "Being a feminist is not only limited to girls. Even a man can be a feminist. It is about equality and everyone believes in equality. People usually misunderstand the essence of feminism. It is not about male bashing."

She added, "If you are not campaigning for women rights you are not a feminist that is also a big confusion. Even if I don't campaign, I am a feminist. As the youth of today, I don't want more conversation on women empowerment because I feel that it is all talk and I don't understand this talk. Equality is our birth right."

Don't miss: Why Is Everyone Objecting To Being Called A Feminist?

2. Anushka Sharma

Anushka Sharma's stunning personality never ceases to amaze us, whether it's sharply responding to trolls who blame her for husband Virat Kohli's poor performance or being honest and forthright in her opinions.

In an interview with TOI, Anushka Sharma spoke her mind on the F word. She said, "Right now, people are making feminism sound like it's some aggressive male-bashing, which it isn't. It's not about hating men. I think somewhere, that is kind of annoying. And also, if something in a society is so deep-rooted, obviously, people will not understand... It's like having a new thing in your hands but you don't know what to do with it. You're used to something else, and suddenly, that is being challenged. And whenever people's opinions or comfort levels get challenged, it's not easy for them.

She added, "So that is why, right now, whether they are shouting online or whatever, it's important that women are coming out and speaking for themselves, standing up for themselves. It will be nice if men also start to do that for them. Like I say, my brother is a feminist, my father is a feminist. And he's a feminist because he believed in giving equal rights to my brother and me, because he never, for a second, made me feel like I can't achieve something just because I'm a girl. My father, and my brother too, told me that if you know what you are capable of, then you go out there and give it to people. So I’ve not suddenly woken up to feminism. The only problem is that this term is very highly abused and it’s not understood for what it really is. I just wish people were better educated about this."

3. Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra is a proud Feminist and she has proven that on several occassions.

In 2018, when Priyanka Chopra flew to Dubai to speak at the Global Education & Skills Forum (GESF), when she was asked a question by a man her take about woman being encouraged to slap a man eve-teasing her and why don't feminist never take up a stand for men who is physically abused?

To this, Priyanka gave a wonderful reply. She said, "Physiologically men and women are different. There is no debate about it. When we talk about equality and opportunity, we talk about cerebral opportunity. We are not saying we want to be able to be like a 200 pound man and beat the shit out of somebody else. We are not saying that."

She added, “We’re saying you give the ability to get the job, to be the CEO and nobody should question a woman's choices or her drive to be someone. So if she is 50, a CEO and a mother of three. do not question her”.

She concluded with, "So when a girl slaps a guy when he eve-teases her, he deserves it."

Don't miss: Equality Vs. Equity Explained By Priyanka Chopra: Throwback

4. Rhea Chakraborty

In 2020, after the death of Bollywood actor and Rhea Chakraborty's boyfriend, Sushant Singh Rajput we all saw how many media houses and people watching her treated her.

In the name of justice for late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the society initiated a witch hunt on her, accusing her of being his "murderer," despite the lack of any genuine evidence to back up this claim.

She was called a "gold digger," a "vishkanya," a scheming Bengali woman, a witch who practised kala jaadu, promiscuous, controlling, and other derogatory terms. It's been a few years since the chaos, but she has yet to receive the long-awaited apology that she so richly deserves. This case was a classic case of patriarchy.

In 2018, in an interview with ANI, she shared her views on Feminism. She said, "All of us have a role to play in changing the mindset on gender equality. For thousands of years, injustice and discrimination happened to women even for their basic rights to live as equal human beings."

She added, "While it is good to see that dialogue has started, I must say that if a man is not a feminist, he has lost the understanding of gender equality. Feminism is not male bashing. It is a concept to celebrate gender equality, providing equal opportunity to every human being beyond gender."

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A post shared by Rhea Chakraborty (@rhea_chakraborty)

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