From Jaya Bachchan to Hema Malini, Taapsee Pannu, Swara Bhasker, Richa Chadha, Renuka Sahane, Dia Mirza, Twinkle Khanna and, to an extent, Sonam Kapoor; it’s the women who have unabashedly defended the Hindi film industry, called out the recent attacks on Bollywood.

History won’t be kind to the leading men of Bollywood. They didn’t show up when their karambhoomi found itself under a vicious, systematic attack, and retreated into cocoons that would keep them safe until the storm passed.

The attacks on Bollywood over the charges of nepotism have torn it down, with actor Kangana Ranaut hopping from one TV channel to another to say the first piece of uncorroborated nonsense that enters her mind.

But the leading men of the industry have largely behaved as if everything is perfectly fine — sab changa si.

If the entire saga unfolding in Mumbai were a fictitious story, it would have an all-female cast, with Kangana Ranaut on one side met with the might of equally vocal female warriors, defending their home and their workplace.

Some women are taking charge even as their family members and powerful spouses choose to remain silent.

Jaya Bachchan called out the vitriolic attack on the industry that feeds many, generates employment, and brings India international acclaim. Meanwhile, her husband Amitabh Bachchan, considered the patriarch of the industry, was busy correcting the serial numbers of his tweets.

Now, after Jaya’s Parliament speech, the Mumbai Police has provided extra security outside the Bachchans’ Mumbai home.

Young actors such as Taapsee Pannu, Richa Chadha and Swara Bhasker put everything on the line every day to speak up for their industry and defend it with all their heart. Their male contemporaries are probably busy gaining muscle that won’t give them any real strength.

What do actors have to fear? Some financial deals, damage to films, online attacks, trolling, rape threats? Just what is this risk that male actors fear but the vocal female actors are immune to? Can’t they see their collective goodwill has been tarnished anyway?

The thing is, Kangana Ranaut’s statements are damaging. It’s not about stooping to her level to engage in a dogfight anymore, it’s about taking a stand for yourself and your fraternity. You don’t have to engage with her directly to call her out.

Hundreds of people gather outside Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan’s house every day to get a glimpse of them. Some even camp there all night. This isn’t just fandom; it’s belief and reverence. #ShahRukhKhan #SalmanKhan #AmitabhBachchan

These celebrities owe it to the people who make it possible for them to earn their rozi roti and believe in their heroism. And if not, then perhaps we are looking up to the wrong heroes. It’s the heroines that save the day.

Female actors are at greater risk while speaking their minds. From violent rape threats to trolls posting all kinds of derogatory stuff about them, and their movies getting boycotted — they brave it all. So, what is it that our ‘macho’ Bollywood superheroes can’t handle?

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Source : The Print