Kriti Sanon Challenges Bollywood's Gender Bias: Demands Equal Treatment and Respect for Female Actors

Kriti Sanon is speaking out on gender equality in Bollywood, highlighting the subtle biases that persist in the industry. Drawing from her own upbringing and her mother’s experiences, the actress called for equal treatment for women on sets, emphasizing that fairness is about respect, not perks like better cars or rooms.In an interview with NDTV, the actress highlighted how her parents raised her and her sister in a household without gender-based limitations. Both parents worked professionally and shared domestic responsibilities, allowing Kriti to grow up without being bound by traditional expectations. However, her mother’s own upbringing had been far more restrictive.She shared that her mother grew up in an era where boys had far more freedom than girls, who were expected to stay at home, follow rules, and take on household duties. Despite wanting to learn swimming or dancing, her mother wasn’t allowed to pursue these interests. The one thing she fought for was her education, eventually becoming a professor.Kriti explained that her mother’s struggles shaped a very different upbringing for her and her sister. Her mother’s guiding principle was to let them pursue their dreams freely, encouraging them to follow whatever they wanted without restrictions.The Mimi actress further noted that while her upbringing was free from gender bias, working in Bollywood made her aware of subtle inequalities that still exist. She pointed out that, though she hasn’t faced anything extreme, small disparities—like male actors getting better cars or rooms—highlight the need for equal treatment, emphasizing that it’s about respect rather than luxury.Kriti also pointed out how ingrained habits often go unnoticed on sets. She explained that even assistant directors sometimes call female actors first and wait for male actors, and she has had to correct this practice, stressing that such mindsets need to change.Meanwhile, on the work front, Kriti is set to feature in Aanand L Rai’s upcoming romantic drama Tere Ishq Mein, starring opposite Dhanush. Scheduled for a November 2025 release. Apart from this, she is also reportedly a part of Farhan Akhtar's Don 3 with Ranveer Singh.