Actor Ratna Pathak Shah feels that India ‘is becoming extremely conservative’, ‘superstitious’ and might become ‘like Saudi Arabia’. The actress went on to add how women in the 21st century are still observing age-old traditions.
During her recent interview with Pinkvilla, Ratna stated, that everyone collectively are ‘moving towards becoming an extremely conservative society’. She then added that the first thing a conservative society does is clamp down on its women. ‘Look at all the conservative societies in this world. Women are the ones who are most affected.’
Stating that nothing or very little changed for women today, the actress shared how people have become more superstitious and added how individuals are often forced into accepting and making religion a very important part of one’s life. She gave an example on how someone asked her las if she’s keeping ‘karwa chauth ka vrat’.
To which she said, ‘Am I mad?’ Isn’t it appalling that modern educated women do karwa chauth, praying for the lives of husbands so that they can have some validity in life? Widow in the Indian context is a horrible situation, isn’t it? So anything that keeps me away from widowhood. Really? In the 21st century, we are talking like this? Educated women are doing this.” Ratna stated.
She also gave an example of Saudi Arabia and added, ‘What’s the scope of women in Saudi Arabia? Do we want to become like Saudi Arabia? And we will become because it’s very very convenient. Women provide a lot of unpaid labour within the home. If you have to pay for that labour, who will do it? Women are forced into that situation.’
Meanwhile, on the work front, Ratna will next be seen in Tarun Dudeja’s ‘Dhak Dhak’. Produced by Taapsee Pannu, the film also features Dia Mirza, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Sanjana Sanghi in the lead roles.
