Indian film industry can be really sexist, says Vidya Balan

Mumbai  : In the wake of recent sexual misconduct claims made against the big names of Hollywood, Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has revealed that Bollywood can be really sexist too.

 While being present at the launch of a business magazine, the 'Tumhari Sulu' star shared that the film industry can be really sexist and she did face a fair amount of sexism in the initial phase of her career.

When asked if she faced any kind of sexism in the industry, she said, "The film industry has been really nice to me. I'm quite head-strong. But I think it can really be sexist. In the initial phase of my career, I did face a fair amount of sexism. I used to be really angry about that."

"I was told he has been given dates, so you have to work around them, but I was never asked like that. The male



actor would always get a bigger van, a bigger hotel. People would always say like, 'do you need to listen to story?" she said.

The actress shared that she has been very lucky to have step into the industry with a movie like 'Parineeta', as no one questioned the set of rules she set for herself.

"I was lucky I got into the business with a movie like 'Parineeta', no one questioned the rules I set for myself. I have been told that a female actor's life is not much, so you have to look younger. You got to look glamorous. I always told myself no, it is not like that," noted Balan.

When asked if she is a feminist, she explained, "I'm a feminist I am not anti-men. There is a huge difference between them. I believe I have the equal right to breathe, live and lead my life as a man does."