Amitabh Bachchan leads by example

For 45 years of his superstardom, Amitabh Bachchan has used his powerful voice for innumerable social messages. His latest plea for a just, equal and unbiased social order has seen all of India cheering in approval.

The mega star declared, “When I die, my assets will be equally shared between my daughter and my son… Gender equality… We are equal.”

On being congratulated on this exemplary move to bridge the gap between the two sexes, he brushes the compliments aside, saying he was only using his voice for the right cause.

“I’m not being exemplary with my conduct and mindset, when I declare gender equality for my children. It’s a natural belief of mine. I express it because if my face and voice can sell cement, I hope it can cement this social and moral belief of mine among my countrymen,” he explains.

So, does Mr Bachchan feel the gender inequality that plagues our social order can only be repaired by a patriarchal willingness to right the wrongs that cause the inequality?

The socially conscious actor — in his trademark baritone — negates the belief that only men can right the inequality between the genres. “This belief questions the very tenet of gender equality. Please do not even attempt to suggest that gender equality can only be repaired by patriarchal willingness. It should be willingly repaired and accepted if propagated in a matriarchal way too.”