Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

I Stand By Women's Right To Be Treated With Dignity, Respect: Shatrughan Sinha

IANS, 09 Feb, 2019 05:33 AM

    Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha says his jocular comments on the MeToo movement are being "misconstrued and used to malign" him.


    He feels the MeToo movement is tampering with the healthy equation between men and women at the workplace.


    "Men are afraid to open their mouths in front of women. Pataa nahin kya bolne se kya matlab nikala jayega (Who knows what is interpreted as what).


    "I spoke in good humour about the fear of being called out, that all of us in the entertainment industry are staring at, and look at the way the 'nari' protection brigade is out to prove me a lecher," he said of the criticism of his comments at a book launch.


    But the fearless Sinha is not backing down.


    "I speak with the highest regard for all women, and stand by their right to be treated with dignity and respect. Don't forget I've two powerful women, my wife Poonam and my daughter Sonakshi at home.


    "My sons Luv and Kush and I happily let them be the boss of our home," he added.


    What had he said that has raised the hackles of so many?

     


    "Today is the time of MeToo, and there shouldn't be any shame or hesitation to say that behind a successful man's fall is a woman. Behind the troubles and infamy of successful men, there have been mostly women that I've seen in this movement.


    "I really call myself fortunate that in today's times, tamam harkate karne ke bawajood (despite everything that I have done), my name hasn't come out in the #MeToo movement. Hence, I listen to my wife and often take her as a shield with me so that even if there's nothing, I can show that I am happily married, my life is good," he had said.


    Sinha stands by his words.


    "Of course I am fortunate that I haven't been called out. I am a very friendly person, have always been warm and talkative, and I used to flirt harmlessly with my heroines before I got married.


    "They never seem to mind my innocuous flirting. But now how am I supposed to be sure that some lady won't come forward to say she objected to my behaviour 30-40 years ago but couldn't come forward to speak as I was too powerful?"


    He feels the MeToo movement is being misused within the entertainment industry.


    "There is a difference between being sexually harassed and re-interpreting or misinterpreting an interaction in the past as sexual harassment.


    "Names like Subhash Ghai and Rajkumar Hirani are being called out without substantiated evidence. Men who have toiled for years to build a reputation for themselves are losing it over a tweet. So of course I stand by what I said.


    "Behind many successful men's downfall there is a woman or several women these days. This is a fact. How is it disrespectful to women? And who decides what is respectful and what is not? Why have some self-appointed guardians of morality made themselves the MeToo movement their personal property, to be used as when and how they wish," he asked.

    MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

    Consistency Is The Key To Lasting Career: Adnan Sami

    Consistency Is The Key To Lasting Career: Adnan Sami
    Talking about having a long lasting career, Sami told IANS here: "The difference between a 'one hit wonder' and an artist with a successful long career is consistency."

    Consistency Is The Key To Lasting Career: Adnan Sami

    Sonali Bendre Back On Sets, Says It's Surreal

    Actress Sonali Bendre Behl, who spent months in New York battling cancer, on Saturday returned to face the cameras. She says it's a surreal feeling.

    Sonali Bendre Back On Sets, Says It's Surreal

    Tiger Shroff Praises His SOTY2 Co-Stars

    Tiger Shroff Praises His SOTY2 Co-Stars
    Actor Tiger Shroff has praised his "Student of The Year 2' co-actresses Tara Sutaria and Ananya Pandey.

    Tiger Shroff Praises His SOTY2 Co-Stars

    Don't Want To Work Just To Stay Busy: Kirti Kulhari

    On why she is so selective about choosing her projects, Kirti told IANS here: "I do not want to work to stay busy. I want to feel excited and challenged with each character that I portray on-screen."    

    Don't Want To Work Just To Stay Busy: Kirti Kulhari

    Not Felt Sexy For A While During Warrior Film: Kangana Ranaut

    Actress Kangana Ranaut says in pursuit of making her warrior film 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi', which is packed full of gravity defying stunts, she hasn't felt "sexy" for a while.    

    Not Felt Sexy For A While During Warrior Film: Kangana Ranaut

    My Resolution Is To Switch To Sustainability: Sanya Malhotra

    A documentary has inspired actress Sanya Malhotra to lead her life which promotes sustainability.    

    My Resolution Is To Switch To Sustainability: Sanya Malhotra