Bollywood getting bold about sex? Just ask Kangana Ranaut
MUMBAI: Bollywood is getting more brazen about previously taboo subjects like sex and menstruation.
Just ask actress- director Kangana Ranaut.
She has been brazen enough to admit that she has been “sexually active”.
But she was quick to add: “This does not make me a whore or a prostitute like society would believe.
On Karan Johar’s TV show, Vidya Balan was asked about what men do not know about women. “We like it, need it, and want it as much as they do!” she said.
Kangana, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Parineeti Chopra and Shraddha Kapoor have also been openly speaking about menstruation, a subject that conservative India has tried so hard to keep in the closet.
Also, an increasing number of actresses have been openly arguing in favour of a more equitable wage structure in male- dominated Bollywood.
Among those who had openly criticised the discriminatory wage structure were peeved actresses Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma and Aditi Rao Haydri.
Backing them is superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Said Shah Rukh: “We can start with pay being equal. In our company, we believe in putting female stars’ names before the male stars’ names.
“These are insignificant things in comparison to what needs to be done, but having said that, when I see women working in Bollywood, or other industries, I feel there is a certain movement.”
Bollywood stars like Deepika Padukone and Karan Johar have also done much to dispel misconceptions about depression and mental illness.
During a public forum, Deepika had openly admitted that she was battling depression while at the peak of her career. She has started a foundation committed to helping those with similar symptoms.
Director Karan Johar recently revealed that he had also been afflicted with depression.
The latest star with a tale of having battled depression is Rustom actress Ileana d’Cruz.
What is clear from the candid admissions is that Bollywood stars are becoming more open about their sexuality and health issues.