The Problem Is in Glamorising Stalking in Bollywood: Abhay Deol

What does Abhay Deol have to say about the wage gap, female directors, and sexist conditioning in Bollywood?

Known for his choice of unconventional roles of Bollywood, Abhay Deol wins hearts whenever he speaks. In an interview with Video Volunteers, Deol spoke about the various issues that plague Bollywood, such as the glamorisation of stalking, the gender wage gap and chauvinism in the industry. He also sheds light on the Bengaluru mass molestation that took place on New Year’s Eve with the founder of Video Volunteers, Stalin K.

About the Wage Gap in Bollywood

The more you hear the West do this, the more we follow. We don’t necessarily put it out there first. But yes, I think it will get translated here when it is established there. That’s the trend that I have seen so far. We wait for somebody else, we are not proactive on our own. The pay should depend on the job at hand, and not on one’s sex.

Abhay Deol, Actor

Distancing the Niche Women Audiences

Women audiences are considered if you make a Neerja or Queen or Kahaani. I don’t think they (the filmmakers) are thinking of the female audience when they are making a big blockbuster because I think we have more of a male population than a female population, and the movies that are typically formula tend to appeal to young men. That’s why women in their films tend to be just gorgeous, glamour models, and then they have an item number.

Abhay Deol, Actor

Women Writers and Directors Versus Men Writing Women Characters

I think women tend to write women better than men. Women directors are much more sensitive with women characters than male directors. Not that the men can’t do it, but they tend to project their (own) idea of femininity sometimes.

Abhay Deol, Actor

Glamourising Stalking for Monetary Purposes

The Ranjhanaa actor talks about the glamourisation of stalking in cinema.

The problem is in glamorising stalking. The problem is not necessarily with the filmmaker but with the system that we have to work out of.

Abhay Deol, Actor

Watch the chat here: