International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8 every year. It is an annual celebration of all the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. As we celebrate the spirit of ExtraordiNARIs, PeepingMoon spoke to Anusha Dandekar about her views on gender equality and more.

Talking to us, the multifaceted star opened up about facing casual sexism in the industry, deriving strength from the freedom given to her by her parents and dealing with gender inequality early in her career as a presenter. 

Excerpts from the interview:

You come from a non-filmi background. Did your gender ever affect professional growth?

I didn’t go out feeling or looking for gender inequality. I joined a popular channel early in my career and I was glad to be getting a chance to do a dream job. However, as time passed, I noticed my male colleagues were paid more for the exact same job and hours. It would hurt. A few years later, when I moved into business, people would often refer to my male co-founder over phone calls and not me. The business was my idea. After one such call, I remember crying while talking to my father on the phone. Nobody addressed me during the calls. That's when I decided to choose my battles and fight to make a space for myself. In the next call, I asserted myself and made them realise that I am the person they should be talking to. Yes, it is heartbreaking to deal with such instances but we have to build our paths for ourselves and that's how generations have been doing it. We have come a long way but the journey is still not over. There's no chance to give up at this stage. By gender equality, I don't mean women have to be placed one step above men. We can co-exist on the same platform. 

Due to this gender inequality, did you ever feel like quitting the industry?

I never thought of quitting and will never ever imagine doing so. Though it was bad, I feel I was rather in a safe space. When I wake up every morning, I want to do what I love doing and will make sure to get paid equally for it. I have the potential to fight for what I love. Otherwise, how will I build a path for other girls?

Society is easy to pass judgements about women. Did you ever experience harsh comments from the public?

Of course, they've been on my personal and professional lives. It is part and parcel and I wouldn’t say men don’t get trolled. A certain societal norm has been created and it’s embedded in our heads that men and women have to behave in a certain way. Equality means giving equal footing to everyone. Stop objectifying us. If a man poses topless on Instagram, we’ll appreciate and when a woman does so, she’s trying to be so sexual, she’s doing it for attention, etc. That’s one type of discrimination. We have to realise that this is not a caveman era where men would go hunting and women would be home. Evolution happens and things do keep changing. Now, it is all about how mentally strong we are. Roles have changed and they have to. We cannot be stuck in one place, we have to keep moving forward. Everyone has to stop living in that confusion and with changing times, they have to understand that even we have freedom of speech, sexuality, our bodies, minds, etc.

It troubles me when a narcissistic man is celebrated no matter what he does. He can abuse on national TV and can behave badly with people. If a woman did that same thing, she’s a villain, she must be practicing black magic, she must be evil, the devil. Why is the narrative so different for us? We’re psychotic and they are heroes. If a man has sex with multiple women, he’s a hero and if the gender is reversed, she becomes a slut. I don’t understand it. In a relationship, the narrative is that the woman is the one spoiling the man. If he is sad, it’s the woman’s fault. If she is unhappy or going through problems, they say 'poor guy'. What is this conversation? If his truths are revealed, these blind supporters will make excuses for him. I’m tired of this narrative. A section of society is just so forgiving to men. It's okay to be forgiving but why is the woman still the villain?

The worst part is women do this more to a woman. I have figured out that this happens because they're subjected to societal norms. They have to sit at home, and don’t have freedom or freedom of speech and expression. They hide behind laptops and phones that give them the freedom to start abusing those who are living the life of their dreams. I feel they’re not happy because they don’t have freedom. I feel they do it out of their own frustration. That saddens me. I believe women attack women more because they’re suppressed more. Change the narrative, give them more freedom and they won’t do it.

Have you ever faced casual sexism in the industry?

Once, I was presenting a meeting with an investor. After a great presentation, he looked at me and the first thing he said was, “You’re not just a pretty face.” It is as casual as it gets.

Women are still being judged for the kind of clothes they wear, and how they look and present themselves. What’s stopping people from ending judgements?

It’s a journey. We’ve got to keep pushing through. It’s all about the change in narrative. It is a story told for too long that women have to wear certain clothes. Women have started living freely now but it is still not an equal ground for many. They’re conditioned to behave in a certain way and that’s what they will project. Men are learning what they’re taught at home. Nothing will change till the cycle does. Today, if I post a picture in a bikini, my mother will like it first. Throughout my career, she has been empowering me. That’s the difference. If your mom cheers for you and supports you in what you do, you’ll never feel bad for doing something. My father has been equally supportive, be it with my career choices or relationships. They make me feel confident by showing support. 

What’s the definition of feminism according to you?

The right definition of feminism is we all get an equal start. Forget everything we were taught, unlearn the societal norms we were made to follow since childhood. Let’s start all over again.