(Image source from: firstpost.com)
Bollywood star Ranveer Singh said the #MeToo movement has been very impactful in India and he hopes there is a change in the patriarchal thinking of Indian men.
"The #MeToo movement was historic, revolutionary. It has made guys take stock and think and, that itself, is a big thing. It has been hugely impactful and significant," Ranveer said at the Times Network India Economic Conclave 2018 on Thursday.
Ranveer said what happened in the last two months was a revolution. "It was happening all too fast, quickly. It was a revolution. You had perpetrators who aren't working anymore. It made a huge impact from where I stand. In my perception, what the movement should have done, I think it has. It has changed to a large extent the way men think.
"Every man thinks twice, they are afraid. They think if they do something wrong, it is going to be called out. It had made a huge impact at the ground level."
When asked about his idea of consent, the actor said the thinking of men needs to change.
"We have, for the longest time, lived in a patriarchal society. Men feel very entitled in their species, in my surroundings at least. Fortunately, I have had an upbringing, my father has always been out, so I was raised by four women, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, so I have a different way of looking at it.
"I also studied in America where gender dynamics are very different, the outlook and view on sex are very different. I have had that kind of exposure. I have seen guys who have a sense of entitlement that is deeply ingrained in them and they laugh at you if you tell them otherwise."
The actor said he would like to lead by example in his life. "I am hoping as a thought leader to contribute towards some positive change, by just leading in the example, I am hoping I make some change. It's too slow moving," he said.
Ranveer, however, thinks India needs educational training in understanding the true meaning of consent. "These things have to start from a foundational, fundamental level. Parents need to pass on to kids and schools to students. What you understand of the world and the interactions while growing up," he said.
The #MeToo movement hit India when Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexual misconduct while they were shooting for a song for their 2008 film 'Horn Ok Pleassss'.
A number of high-profile men such as M J Akbar, Vikas Bahl, Alok Nath, Sajid Khan, Justin Das and, most recently, artist Subodh Gupta have been outed in India's #MeToo movement.
-Sowmya
