Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, TV actresses talk about women being the real agents of change, women-oriented issues in the industry and what it means to be empowered. Sunday Pioneer reports
Each one of is a hero
Actresses play very powerful women oriented roles in TV shows. In real life, do you think women in all statra of society are getting opportunity to be as strong and powerful like heroinsIJ Not only are we female protagonists of our own lives but each one of us are very powerful in our own way. It’s just that we don’t realise our potential unless a situation arises where we have to push ourselves beyond our limits. I feel that all of us inherent the same potential, possess the same zest and élan which makes us the hero or heroine of our own lives. Also the stories or the characters that we see on TV are somewhere inspired by real life incidences surrounding real life heroes. So I do believe that each one of us is a hero or heroine of own lives in a very unique way.
Rubina Dilaik who plays Soumya in Shakti — Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki on Colors
Be fearless & independent
There are many women out there who don’t get heard & appreciated for all the sacrifices they make in for their family. Some women purposely keep themselves in the background in order to let others shine. Being a homemaker can be a thankless job. I come from a very sheltered and protected life where I have always been treated as my brother’s equal. We need to celebrate women every single day because women are special and beautiful. The country unanimously along with the Government and people in authority should take steps to create policies that ensure a safe environment for women. We need to raise our girls to be fearless and independent rather than scared or insecure.
Ridhi Dogra who plays Nisha Jindal in Woh Apna Sa on Zee TV
dealing with pay or gender gap
In TV industry, the issue that most of the women are facing is either related to their income and the gender gap. I believe that women who are working behind the scene in TV shows are strong. Sometimes they struggle with people taking them seriously. There's also a major issue when it comes to taking an opinion of a woman. We have to struggle. I think sexism is omnipresent and its everywhere and in TV too. In real life, we struggle but once we find that one single thread towards empowerment, we are unstoppable.
— Sneha Wagh, who will be seen in a new show— Sher-E-Punjab: Maharaja Ranjit Singh on life OK
Raise your son to respect women
In our family, for the last three generations, women are celebrated throughout the year. All the men in our family strongly believe that women are more important and hence their opinion matters on everything. It is the way men our raised in our family. My grandfather always looked up to my grandmother for support and guidance and so did my father. As far as changes in the society are concerned, I feel it is for women to raise their sons to respect other women. It starts from there as parents are the roots of your value systems. Many a times, I have stopped my son from going out to parties as much as I have restricted my daughter. It’s not about fighting for equal rights but making men aware of how important it is to respect women at all times. That’ll make a world of difference!
Deeya Singh, Producer of Kaala Teeka on Zee TV
Stand up against injustice
like my character Niyati in Khwaabon Ki Zamin Par, I firmly believe in empowering women. I believe women are capable of successfully playing different roles in life. Every woman must have her own identity, work towards achieving her dreams and should not give it up for anyone. We should all stand up against any kind of injustice happening against us and fight for our rights.
—Megha Chakraborty from KKZP on Zindagi
Male-dominated households
Though women play a central character in the shows, they still have a long way to go both in projecting the lives on-screen and off-screen. We need to have progressive outlook towards women. In shows, men don’t come across as the central character but they do come across as the dominant factor in the households that these women are a part of. For me women empowerment is that you believe in yourself and in your power and wisdom and have confidence in you that you can achieve your dreams and aspirations.
Aishwarya Sakhuja who plays Soumya in Shakti-Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki on SAB TV
Women playing Diverse roles
Women have been already ruling TV for more than a decade now. We’ve roles specially written for the female actors both positive & negative & the entire story revolving around them. Female protagonists are the real heroes of TV.
Juhi Parmar who plays Chhaya in Karmafal Daata Shani on Colors.
Women are objectified a lot
Till today, women in the TV industry are not payed as equally as the male protagonist. Males are given more liberties and are promoted more than compared to women’s. Sexism do exists and women are objectified a lot in the industry. Anyone who faces this issue should fight back and take necessary action against those people. Women working behind the sets spend more than fourteen hours of their day on the sets. Some are divorced, some are married with children who are working day and night so that they can earn money. I have also seen old women working who have no one to take care of them everyone has a story. They should be taken into consideration when they have family issues and payed well. I have seen so many women working till late when someone in their family is sick because they have the fear of getting their money cut.
—Niti Taylor who plays Shivani in Ghulaam on life OK