Madhuri Dixit says society still judges women differently than men
Mumbai, June 6
Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, whose latest release is "Maa Behen", has spoken out against the double standards women face in matters of love and relationships, pointing to the deep-rooted patriarchal mindset in the society.
Talking about how men are often celebrated for their romantic choices while women are judged for the same, the actress said such biases have long been normalized.
"It's a patriarchal society. I mean, from the beginning, it's like, that's the way it is. Men can have girlfriends... If he has girlfriends, he's a Casanova. If a woman does the same, she's called names. You know, she's like a very negative thing," Madhuri told IANS.
The 59-year-old actress shared that 'Maa Behen' challenges these conventions, presenting flawed, chaotic and relatable characters who break the rules society has traditionally imposed.
"So, you know, it's been a norm in the society. In this movie, we have broken every rule that the society has created. And we have had fun doing that. Though, I think the characters in this film are so, so chaotic and so, what do you call it? Confused. They are so real. You know, real, relatable people."
"Maa Behen" is a black comedy thriller directed by Suresh Triveni. It stars Madhuri Dixit, Triptii Dimri, Dharna Durga, and Ravi Kishan. They are joined by Geetanjali Kulkarni, Arunoday Singh, and Shardul Bhardwaj.
At the heart of "Maa Behen" is Rekha, a mother who's already juggling enough until life throws her the ultimate curveball, a dead body in her kitchen. With her two daughters, Jaya, the responsible one, and Sushma, the wild card, this trio must think fast, lie faster, and somehow keep their nosy neighbors from sniffing out the truth.
The film is streaming on Netflix.
Madhuri's latest film also includes Mrs. Deshpande directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. In which, she was seen playing a serial killer.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Madhuri ji always speaks sense. The hypocrisy is real - men get pats on the back for being "players" while women get branded. But honestly, change has to start at home. How many of us actually treat our daughters and sons equally when it comes to relationships? 🙏
I respect her for saying this but I think we also need to look at the flip side. In many parts of India, women have always been the moral guardians of the family. The problem is deep-rooted, yes, but movies like "Maa Behen" sound like they're just trying to shock people. Is that really progressive or just chaotic?
Finally someone with Madhuri's stature is saying this out loud. In our society, even educated families judge daughters more than sons. My own mother told me "log kya kahenge" when I wanted to travel alone but my brother could do anything. 😤 We need more conversations like this.
The movie sounds interesting - a black comedy with Madhuri and Triptii Dimri? Count me in! But about the interview, I think it's a bit hypocritical coming from Bollywood. The same industry that objectifies women also lectures us about patriarchy. Actions speak louder than words, Madhuri ji.
As a working woman in my 30s, I face this every day. My male colleagues can date whoever they want but I get "advice" from relatives about settling down. It's exhausting. 😩 Movies like 'Maa Behen' that challenge these norms are so needed. Let's hope it starts more conversations.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.