'Shaktimaan' Mukesh Khanna speaks against women and #MeToo; slammed
What's the story
Here are a few quick facts about Shaktimaan: 1) Gangadhar hi Shaktimaan Hai. 2) The superhero was originally played by Mukesh Khanna. 3) Khanna is a misogynist. The 62-year-old actor, who also famously portrayed Bhishma Pitamah in BR Chopra's television epic Mahabharat, has opined that women aren't equal to men, they should stick to household chores, and the #MeToo movement is their own fault.
Details
Khanna shared his views in a recent interview
A clip of Khanna sharing his "enlightening" views about women is being widely circulated online. In the video, the actor can be heard saying "the problem of #MeToo" began after women started working, adding that their job is to stay home and handle household chores. As part of the #MeToo movement, countless women across the globe shared their experiences of sexual abuse and harassment.
Interview
'The job of a woman is taking care of house'
In the interview, given to The Filmy Charcha, Khanna said, "People talk about women's liberation, but let me tell you that where the problem begins." "It all began when women started saying that they want to do what men do. No, a man is a man and a woman is a woman," he opined. He added that due to this, children have to suffer.
Twitter Post
You can watch the video here
Actor turned right wing rabble rouser Mukesh Khanna says women going out to work and thinking of being equal to men is cause of #metoo pic.twitter.com/1sZ37GudTy
— Hindutva Watch (@Hindutva__watch) October 30, 2020
Criticism
His comments were berated by many
Naturally, his comments were berated by many on social media. Netizens slammed the actor for his problematic views and lamented idolizing him during their childhood. A user tweeted, "Khanna is the cautionary tale of how living in past glory can be dangerous. His attention-seeking words reek of desperation. He wants to get validated by more misogynistic men and be hailed as a hero (sic)."
Twitter Post
What is Shaktimaan's biggest weakness? Now you know
Didn't know that Shaktiman's biggest weakness was his mindset. https://t.co/zQ1tcPMVZl
— Sahil Shah 🇮🇳 (@SahilBulla) October 30, 2020
Twitter Post
'Precious time wasted'
Painfully realising the fact that many precious time from my childhood went wasted on watching sakthiman aerial 🤦🏽♂️🙏 https://t.co/D3bzNsjx8s
— Bej ✋ (@bej_2019) October 30, 2020
Similar controversy
Recently, Khanna courted controversy with comment on Kapil Sharma's show
Not long ago, Khanna had found himself at the center of controversy for calling popular comedian-actor Kapil Sharma's show "vulgar" and "worst." "This show is full of fuhadpana, full of double meaning words, taking a turn toward vulgarity with every moment. In which the men wear women's clothes, do cheap things and people laugh, holding their stomachs (sic)," he had said on social media.