'MEN JUST CAN'T BE INSULAR'

Farhan Akhtar says the biggest change will happen only when boys and girls are educated to “look at each other as human beings and not as objects”

He wears multiple hats — of being a director, producer, actor, musician and many more things — successfully. But still, five years ago, Farhan Akhtar started a very special initiative. He launched a social campaign, MARD (Men Against Rape and Discrimination) that aims to raise social awareness against rape and discrimination of women. Now, as the initiative completes five years, we catch up with him for a quick chat about the campaign and more.

How do you feel about MARD completing five years?

Honestly, I am not thinking of it as an anniversary. Ever since we started — at the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013, a lot of learning has happened on the way. What’s been most important is our commitment that we started with hoping to accomplish, achieve and inspire people to think about this cause. For us, it’s about reaching out to the youth and motivating and inspiring them while being involved in creating awareness and initiating dialogues. But it’s an ongoing process. So, I am not thinking, ‘oh, we’ve achieved so much in five years’.

So, what makes you feel most satisfied about this journey ?

I feel the most fruitful part of it has been being able to connect with students from across the country, and to see a great fervour among them. They want a different kind of society that they want to grow in and create for future generations. That has been an incredible experience. Another good thing has been the opportunity to have conversations and learn from people involved in this field, who’ve been dealing and fighting such issues for way longer than I have been. It prepares you to deal with things in a better manner.

Despite initiatives like MARD etc., violence against women is taking place. But, do you feel things are changing, albeit slowly?

I don’t know whether things are changing very fast or not but what’s happening rapidly is that there is a growth in awareness vis-à-vis the magnitude of the problem. Also, there’s a growing feeling among people about being completely tired of coming across such news day in, day out. I feel the media also has an important role to play. Even though sometimes, the reporting might not be as per one’s taste, but the fact is that it’s being reported more and more now. The more you confront an ugly truth, which is staring us in the face, the more you will try to figure out a way of putting an end to it.

Also, do you feel people have become sensitive to such things?

I feel all those conversations about women bringing it onto themselves and such myths are slowly being dispelled. So, now if anybody says, ‘a woman shouldn’t have...’, that person is shut down immediately which may have not been the case 10 years ago. To an extent, there has been a movement forward. The practice of shaming or blaming the victim has kind of reduced. Any rational, secular, peace-loving person would want to live in a society where a regular peaceful life is possible; and not worry that something could happen to someone. For that, you’ve to keep working.

Do you feel it’s of paramount importance that people’s mentality needs to be changed?

It is absolutely a question of mentality. The largest possible change will happen only if you educate boys and girls where they grow up to look at each other as human beings and not as objects or property. It’s very important especially for men — since they will grow up and become fathers to sons as well as daughters — to comprehend that you can’t be so insular or individualistic and say, ‘as long as me and my family are safe, nothing else matters’. You have to understand all of us are connected in some way. It is important to try and be involved and educate young men about the advantages of being in a society where women are liberated and safe.

Many also feel laws need to be strengthened…

As for laws, they are in place. If at all, the grievance that I have is that we do hear or read about an incident, but we rarely have any kind of followup as to what happened to the person that committed that crime. So, there is no sense of justice as you have no idea of what happened to the culprit with the big exception being the Nirbhaya case, which saw a national outrage. Why is the system not working the way it worked then? Somehow, the fear of law isn’t being drilled into people’s head, especially for those who feel, ‘there will be no consequences’.

You have also used music to promote the cause…

It is a powerful way to spread a message. So, I absolutely believe in the power of it.

Despite being busy with multiple things, you take out time for an initiative like this. Do you feel every celebrity should shoulder such a social responsibility?

It is a free country and everybody has the right to decide what they want to do. We can’t be judgmental and shame someone for focusing on their own life. But in my humble opinion, I feel that if people have given you so much love — in the world of sports, music or politics, where they decide your fate and whose love and support keeps you going, then your responsibility towards people needs to go beyond your calling.

PHOTO: ABHEET GIDWANI