Mallika Sherawat’s parents saw her as a ‘burden’, mother slipped into depression because family didn’t want girl child: ‘I wasn’t nurtured’

Mallika Sherawat also shared that her family mourned her birth and her mother went into depression because she was a girl child.

By: Entertainment Desk

Mumbai | October 11, 2024 11:14 AM IST

3 min read

Mallika Sherawat- Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video

Mallika Sherawat in a still from Vicky Vidya Ka Voh Wala Video.

After her impressive performance in Rajat Kapoor’s RK/RKay in 2022, Mallika Sherawat is back with Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri’s Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video. While promoting the film, Mallika opened up about her tumultuous childhood and the discrimination she faced as a woman. She said that while growing up in Haryana, she experienced firsthand the harsh realities of patriarchal society.

“I didn’t have anybody’s support. Neither my mother, nor my father supported me. My family did not support me,” she revealed in an interview with Hauterrfly. Mallika also opeend up about how her family, like many others, perpetuated the cycle of patriarchy, limiting her opportunities and freedom.

Mallika emphasised that women often play a significant role in perpetuating these societal norms. “How men have treated women is a different thing, but what about how the women treat other women? Women continue to tie other women by the peg of patriarchy and close all the doors. They don’t open the doors for other women.”

Reflecting on her childhood, Mallika shared, “My parents would discriminate between me and my brother so much. I used to be very sad in my growing up years thinking why my parents discriminate against me so much. As a child, I didn’t understand, but now I do. Woh ladka hai usko videsh bhejo, usko padhao, usmein paisa invest karo (They used to say, ‘Send the son abroad, educate him, invest in him’). Parivaar ki saari sampatti ladke ko jaayegi, pote ko jaayegi (All the family’s wealth will go to the son, to the grandson). Ladkiyon ka kya hai? (What about the girls?) They will get married, they are a liability, ek bojh hai (they are a burden).”

Mallika realised that she wasn’t alone in her struggles. “So, I used to feel very bad about it, but then I realised that it was not just me, but all the girls in my village were going through this kind of discrimination and injustice.” This epiphany sparked a desire to break free from societal expectations.

Also read | When Mallika Sherawat felt ‘bullied, harassed’ by media: ‘They were focusing only on my body’

She further shared, “My parents gave me everything… a good education, but not an open mindset or good thoughts. They didn’t give me the freedom. They didn’t nurture me, never tried to understand me.” She recalled being discouraged from pursuing sports due to concerns about her femininity. “I was playing a lot of sports, secretly, because my family didn’t allow me saying, ‘You’ll become very masculine, manly. Who will marry you?’ I had a lot of restrictions.”

Mallika’s birth was met with disappointment, revealing the deep-seated patriarchy. “When I was born mere pariwaar mein maatam chhaa gaya tha (there was mourning in my family). My mother, I am sure, went into depression, poor thing.”

Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video has been released in cinemas today, October 11.

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