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Hey Harsh, Do Take Advice From Sonam And Rhea On How To Always Have Each Other's Back

And ICYMI, Harsh's words are yet another reminder that roles in Bollywood films are nearly always skewed in favour of men.

Two-film-old Harshvardhan Kapoor, has the kind of self-assurance outsiders in an industry running on dynasties, would kill for. His entry into the film industry might have been smoother than a fresh jar of skippy, but unfortunately that hasn’t translated into even half-way decent hits. Despite that, the youngest child of Anil and Sunita Kapoor, has somehow mastered the sort of cocky self-confidence that comes with years of experience.

At a recent interview the actor spoke to Quartz,  about his family, his career choices and what the future holds. Only, he managed to be both tone-deaf, mildly sexist, and dismissive of his own sisters achievements as well as heroines in general. But in doing so, the 27-year-old actor has also inadvertently spoken about the lopsided gender dynamics of film-making in India.

After talking about whether or not his sisters guide his decision-making as far as choosing scripts go, he said: “Sonam is in her own world, and she’s done all kinds of films. But I also think it’s easier sometimes for a heroine to fit in a lot of films…for example, a Padman is not driven by her, right? So she doesn’t have to be there for a 100 days. Heroines can be more free. For me now, the whole film will hinge on my shoulders…So, I don’t really take advice from her.

Rhea’s a producer. She has more marketing feedback as opposed to creative feedback with script and stuff. Our films (Bhavesh Joshi and Veere di Wedding) are releasing on the same day, so she’s too busy and she couldn’t help us.”

Contrast this with the way the two sisters talk each other up constantly, and Harsh Kapoor’s words seem even more jarring. It’s one thing to not take advice from your siblings. Many don’t. But to say you don’t do so because as a male lead the film hinges on your shoulders while heroines ‘are more free’ is offensive on so many levels. And why pick Padman, where Sonam has a cameo, when he could have picked Neerja instead?

Sonam Kapoor chilling out with Rhea Kapoor

Rhea Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor

Not only are his words dismissive of both of his sisters achievements — and there are many no matter how you may personally feel about them —  Harsh’s comments reek of condescension he has not yet earned. Sonam Kapoor may not rank very far up as far as acting skills go, but she does have plenty to boast about, including a National Award. Despite back-to-back flops, she revamped her entire career with the help of social media and currently has an enviable brand value. Rhea Kapoor, who turned producer with 2010’s Aisha, is a woman of many talents herself. From proving to be a marketing whiz to styling her sister to the nines, from starting their own clothing line to producing films by women, and for women. Neither of the Kapoor sisters deserve to be dissed in that flippant way by their own brother.

And ICYMI, Harsh’s words are yet another reminder that roles in Bollywood films are nearly always skewed in favour of men. Of course it isn’t news when someone points out that sexism is rampant in Bollywood, but to hear it being described by a privileged upcoming ‘star’ in a matter-of-fact tone without an iota of awareness, makes it that much more worse.

Meanwhile, when called out for being rude and downright disparaging of his own sisters achievements by some on Twitter, Kapoor  said he was misquoted:

 

And when the journalist who took his interview shut him down for saying his words were misconstrued, she got blocked:

In fact anyone with a contrary viewpoint on this issue, is being blocked too. Consider yourself warned.

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