Bhumi Pednekar raises her voice against gender inequality in Bollywood showbiz and nationwide

15

<p style="text-align: justify;">Over the years, Bhumi has proved her worth in movies like Dum Laga Ke Haishya, Shubh Mangal Savdhan, Saand Ki Aankh, Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitaare. In an interview, she spoke about the gender imbalance in Bollywood and around the country and her campaign with Whisper's '#KeepGirlsInSchool'.</p>

Over the years, Bhumi has proved her worth in movies like Dum Laga Ke Haishya, Shubh Mangal Savdhan, Saand Ki Aankh, Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitaare. In an interview, she spoke about the gender imbalance in Bollywood and around the country and her campaign with Whisper's '#KeepGirlsInSchool'.

25

<p style="text-align: justify;">While talking about how Bollywood showbiz underrepresents women, Bhumi said, "We need good budgets. We need our films to be promoted well. We need our films to be treated like mainstream cinema. It's really sad if you have a woman-led story everything is just automatically cut down. But I really hope that eventually the conversation shifts from a woman-led film or a man-led film to just a film that's led by a character."</p>

While talking about how Bollywood showbiz underrepresents women, Bhumi said, "We need good budgets. We need our films to be promoted well. We need our films to be treated like mainstream cinema. It's really sad if you have a woman-led story everything is just automatically cut down. But I really hope that eventually the conversation shifts from a woman-led film or a man-led film to just a film that's led by a character."

35

<p style="text-align: justify;">"Yes, we are in a better place than maybe the generations before us. That's why an actor like me has survived and that's why I'm here because cinema has changed drastically but it's not enough," she further added.</p>

"Yes, we are in a better place than maybe the generations before us. That's why an actor like me has survived and that's why I'm here because cinema has changed drastically but it's not enough," she further added.

45

<p style="text-align: justify;">Sonchiriya actress stated on speaking about 'sisterhood', "I'm not going to make it very specific to show business. I'd like to comment on the idea of sisterhood generally. The notion that two women can't be friends is something that was made by a man. As I said, there are certain experiences that women go through that are common irrespective of their class, caste and creed. The pain is equal. The humiliation is equal. The unfairness of that situation is equal. Therefore, we need to empower each other. We need to stand up for each other in our own ways."</p>

Sonchiriya actress stated on speaking about 'sisterhood', "I'm not going to make it very specific to show business. I'd like to comment on the idea of sisterhood generally. The notion that two women can't be friends is something that was made by a man. As I said, there are certain experiences that women go through that are common irrespective of their class, caste and creed. The pain is equal. The humiliation is equal. The unfairness of that situation is equal. Therefore, we need to empower each other. We need to stand up for each other in our own ways."

55

<p style="text-align: justify;">Disclosing about her campaign, why do we need them? The actress said, "I had enough education in school and in fact even in home, we were constantly told about menstrual hygiene education and yet the first time I got my period, I was so scared and felt so vulnerable. So what about the girls who have no idea about how to deal with it? That's why we need campaigns like #KeepGirlsInSchool because it really gives the girls the tools to understand how to protect themselves."</p>

Disclosing about her campaign, why do we need them? The actress said, "I had enough education in school and in fact even in home, we were constantly told about menstrual hygiene education and yet the first time I got my period, I was so scared and felt so vulnerable. So what about the girls who have no idea about how to deal with it? That's why we need campaigns like #KeepGirlsInSchool because it really gives the girls the tools to understand how to protect themselves."