Sushmita Sen has indeed been a trailblazer in many ways. As the first Indian to win the Miss Universe title at 18, she paved the way for many future beauty queens. Her career resurgence with roles in series like Aarya and Taali showcased her versatility and resilience. By adopting two young girls, Renee and Alisah, she challenged societal norms and encouraged women to forge their own paths. Despite facing criticism in the ’90s for her bold choices, she has remained a role model for autonomy and strength. Her journey also highlights the importance of staying true to oneself and challenging societal expectations.
ALSO READ Rajeev Masand reveals Hrithik Roshan, director Sooraj Barjatya were upset over his negative review of Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon
During a recent chat with actor Rhea Chakraborty on her YouTube channel, Sushmita Sen shared the difficulties she faced in preserving her identity and independence. She openly discussed how she was judged for being outspoken in the ’90s, a time when society was less accepting. She also recounted how her parents advised her to be more cautious, even questioning her use of the word “sex” in an interview at age 18. “The society was not as open as today. It was like ‘haw.’ Everything was ‘haww’ to the extent that my Maa and Baba had to sit me down and say, ‘There is a lot riding on your shoulders and curb a little bit of what you’re saying. Why use the word ‘sex’ in an interview at 18? Shobhaa De’s writing badly about you.’ And I remember her name coming up specifically, you know, Bengali. Bengalis are considered intellectual. So, it was the intellectual articles that were bothering and not the gossip ones,” she recalled.
Sushmita, however, went on to give an interview with Shobhaa De shortly after, where she used the word ‘sex’ deliberately. This bold move highlighted her determination to defy societal norms and express her true self. “I purposely brought up the word because everything that I wanted to be was not ‘Miss Universe’, or ‘the most beautiful person.’ I wanted to be a liberated human being, someone who is truly free. In that attempt, I became India’s first Miss Universe. It was that freedom that let me do it. Now that I won it, everyone was trying to curb that freedom because so much of the onus lies on you for so many things,” she asserted.
The Main Hoon Na actor had to fight many battles as prejudice and judgements often got too much for her to handle. “I had to fight really hard and at that time, there were also moms and dads who thought I was a bad influence on children because I was so outspoken. I have always believed that if you hold on to rejection for too long, it turns into acceptance. I have seen this in my life repeatedly. You reach a point in your life where you say, ‘I am done being the tree in the background as an actor’ or a sidekick to anyone,” she shared.
ALSO READ Vicky Kaushal reveals he was almost beaten up by sand mafia while working on Gangs of Wasseypur: ‘We were surrounded by 500 people’
Earlier, during the promotion of Taali, the actor recalled how her statements would had repercussions in the ‘90s. “There were (repercussions) in the ’90s because back then, it was a much more closeted society. So for you to speak your mind and to say anything that you believed in was like, ‘Phew! She is a bad influence, don’t get her in front of our kids and everyone else,” read a report published in Filmfare.
Click for more updates and latest Bollywood news along with Entertainment updates. Also get latest news and top headlines from India and around the world at The Indian Express.
[ad_2]
Source link
