An Honest Women's Day Essay by Actor Yami Gautam

“It is indeed a ‘Happy Women's Day' as today, we live in a time that we can hold conversations about women that could never be part of the discussion earlier. For me, every day is Women's Day because according to me, a woman cannot mark a single date to acknowledge her power, her accomplishments, and her hustle.

 

I am grateful that I come from a very supportive family, one who always believed in my dreams and in me. When I switched my career from law to acting, they were the ones who encouraged me and had confidence in me. Even then as a girl, one has to face gender bias on many different levels, if not at home than from the outside world. Coming from a small town and having been brought up in a middle-class environment, daring to choose a profession like acting did raise a lot of eyebrows. What’s really heartwarming is to see the support you get once you are passionate about your dreams.

 

As an artist, it is your choices that help you in creating your own space and carving a niche for you to shine. By actively taking up roles where my character has a voice, has something to convey, and has a little power to influence, I'd like to believe that I am doing my job right. After playing the role of Pallavi in 'Uri-The Surgical Strike', I came to know that many young girls aspired to be a part of the Indian Army by taking inspiration from my character. For me, it was a truly satisfying feeling as an actor.

 

I consider it my first duty to entertain the audience with good commercial or content-driven stories. But at the same time, I like to be sure of the fact that the overall messaging of a project is correct.

 

I am glad to be a part of this industry at a time where so many great, strong characters for female actors are being written. There are people who are ready to tell a women's story and the audience is also receptive to such content. I genuinely believe that with better writing, better parts can be crafted, and a better project can be delivered where no character's voice goes unheard.

 

Having said that, I would like to see a shift to a scenario where everyone involved in a project is given due acknowledgement for their contribution, irrespective of their gender. Filmmaking is a team job, where, from the director to the actors, everyone's contribution and perspective are equally important.

 

In fact, at any workplace, women should be given due credit for their hard work, which I still find to be lacking.

 

As a society, we are certainly moving in the right direction. Slowly and gradually, situations are changing all around for the better, and it is definitely thanks to all the courageous women out there who #ChooseTo Challenge' the injustice they see and stand up for what is right.  

 

To all the lovely and beautiful women, I wish you a 'Happy International Women's Day!'" 

 

Love,

Yami Gautam