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In a roundtable moderated by Rajeev Masand, Rani Mukherji along with Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, and Anushka Sharma discussed #MeToo movement and the further course of action
The #MeToo movement gained prominence in India after Tanushree Dutta came forward with her account of abuse and harassment, accusing actor Nana Patekar and director Vivek Agnihotri of inappropriate conduct in two separate incidents during the shooting of a film in 2008. Soon after that, many women in the entertainment industry came forward with accusations against a number of men in powerful positions. From Vinta Nanda to Chitrangda Sen and Kangana Ranaut, a lot of women shared their own experiences in wake of #MeToo movement.
It was recently that an actresses Roundtable 2018 was organized and it was moderated by CNN-News18’s Rajeev Masand. A-list actresses such as Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma, Alia Bhatt, and Rani Mukerji discussed how the movement brought change and what should be the next steps forward.
When asked about what fundamental changes #MeToo movement brought, Anushka Sharma said that the people have become more introspective as a result of the movement.
Anushka added, “There should be a little sense of fear. Your work place has to be the second sacred place for you. After your home your work place is the place where you should feel the safest and if you’re not feeling that way then that’s the worst world to be living in,”
Rani, however, replied, “I think as a woman you have to be that powerful within yourself, you have to believe that you’re so powerful that if you ever come into a situation like that you have the courage to say ‘back off.’ I think you have to have the courage to be able to protect yourself.”
Deepika countered Rani’s statement saying, “I don’t think everyone is constructed with that sort of DNA.”
Taking the discussion forward, Rani further said, “you have to take the responsibility of your ownself.”
She also put forward the point that martial arts and self-defense should be made compulsory in schools.
To which Deepika said, “But why to even bring it to the point where girls should learn self-defense.”
While Anushka did see a point in Deepika’s argument, Rani was not convinced with Deepika.
The Twitteratis also didn’t seem to find common ground with Rani’s line of argument. People pointer at her privileged background and called her ‘ignorant’, to say the least.
Ok. So you can't tell hundreds of mothers that they shouldn't bring up misogynistic sons but you want to tell millions of girls out there to compulsorily learn martial arts and defend themselves? This is nothing but victim shaming and blaming.
Shame on you, Rani Mukerji! https://t.co/cfvn74fzPM— Tardy B (@Sumeetkaur102) December 30, 2018
Thank you Deepika, Alia and Anushka for sticking up for women without a voice and privilege that #RaniMukerji has. What Rani said was appalling and lacked empathy.
— RemoteMermaid (@RemoteMermaid) December 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/srkkajol_/status/1079005615706402817
https://twitter.com/dish_teaa/status/1079413353422954498
So pissed with #RaniMukerji for her #MeToo comment. Mother of a daughter wants women to learn martial arts because men cannot be taught to be respectful?
Everything looks rosy from Chopra mansion but reality is harsh for women out there.
— MBA Ladki (@akanksharma) December 30, 2018
I have so many thoughts on this discussion, all about #RaniMukerji and her pov of simply putting the responsibility on the MOTHER vs. the grown men that actually perpetuate the crime. This very notion of women should be a certain way is the very same reason why this shit happens. https://t.co/FGNqNgy79c
— Nilam K. Patel (@nilamkpatel) December 30, 2018
Yes, it was really disappointing. First Preity Zinta spouts nonsense about #MeToo and now Rani Mukerji in this car crash of an interview. Never meet your heroes and all that… pic.twitter.com/NEbTOKPuwc
— Mansha Manohar (@UXetc) December 30, 2018
First Preity Zinta and now Rani Mukherjee. Journalists, please please do not ask any other 90s actresses about #MeTooIndia. I can’t see them all ruining their image and fall so low. Sigh 😔
— Celina John (@Celinowski) December 30, 2018
