Kriti Sanon says male actors ‘get better cars, hotel rooms’; actresses often made to wait: ‘It makes me feel smaller’

Bollywood star Kriti Sanon has been appointed as the honorary ambassador for gender equality by UNFPA India, marking a significant step in her journey as an advocate for women’s rights and equal opportunity. In her new role, she aims to amplify conversations around gender parity and challenge deeply rooted stereotypes. Speaking to the NDTV, Kriti opened up about her own encounters with gender norms. Raised in a progressive household where both her parents were working professionals, she recalled an upbringing that defied traditional gender roles. “My sister and I never felt limited because we were girls,” she said, attributing that freedom to the equal partnership between her mother and father.

However, her experiences in the film industry painted a more nuanced picture. While explicit discrimination was rare, subtle disparities were evident. “It hasn’t happened too many times, but little things like the male actor getting a better car or a better room… It’s not about the car, but about not making me feel smaller because I’m a woman. Just make it equal,” Kriti shared. She also noted how seemingly minor behaviors often reflect deeper societal biases. “Sometimes even ADs have a habit of calling the female actor first and waiting for the male actor later. I’ve had to tell them not to do that. The mindset needs to change,” she added.

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Reflecting on generational differences, Kriti highlighted how her mother’s upbringing contrasted sharply with her own. “My mom grew up in a time when boys were allowed a lot of things that girls were not. Girls were supposed to stay at home, cook, and follow rules. She wanted to learn swimming or dancing, but couldn’t. The only thing she fought for was studying, and she became a professor,” Kriti explained. That determination, she said, laid the groundwork for a more liberated path for her and her sister. “Her first thought for me was, ‘Do whatever you want to. Whatever you dream of, go for it.’ That came from her,” she said.

On the work front, Kriti was most recently seen in the Netflix release Do Patti. She is now gearing up for the release of Tere Ishq Mein, directed by Aanand L Rai and co-starring Dhanush. Additionally, she is reportedly set to begin filming Cocktail 2 alongside Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna.