A lot of shows, films and even actors these days seem to be talking about feminism and women’s empowerment. Randeep Hooda is one such actor whose TV debut with MTV revolves around this issue. The actor says that he believes in women’s empowerment — “but extreme feminism isn’t good.”
Asked if he has ever contributed to empowering women, he replies, “I’m deeply respectful of all the women in my life, what more can I do?” The actor also feels that nowadays a lot of cinema and TV shows are focusing on women’s empowerment. “It cannot be denied that more and more shows and films are inclined towards showcasing women’s issues, but not all are doing it with the intention to achieve empowerment. That is evident and viewers are smart. They will eventually figure out what is real and what is not,” he explains.
His TV debut with MTV’s Big F, where F stands for freedom, talks about different issues related to sex, body shaming, equal opportunities for women, abuse, love and relationships. Talking about an episode in the series, Randeep says, “There is a huge urban-rural divide in India. So, I was very careful that the show didn’t portray something that doesn’t apply in smaller towns.
What is applicable in Mumbai in terms of women’s empowerment won’t be applicable in, let’s say, Kanpur. In one of the episodes of Big F, a girl who wants to be a sportsperson, but isn’t allowed, sneaks into the boys’ hostel at night and practices. While that was shown in the show, I wouldn’t advise it. It’s true that one has to be liberated, but one has to be aware and cautious as well.”
The actor also believes that bodybuilding and fitness goals are for all. “Women are equally interested in staying fit now. I think that Salman Khan has contributed a lot to the popular culture of men being fit. It is not just about sports or bodybuilding. It is about body image and self-confidence. When you go out in a T-shirt and your biceps pop out, it is always good. Bodybuilding is not just for physical health but for mental health as well,” he says.
