‘If she had compromised or taken shortcuts…’: Dr Madhu Chopra on daughter Priyanka facing patriarchy in Bollywood; how it can affect you

Priyanka, who started her Bollywood journey in the early 2000s, faced the same gendered challenges as many other female actors. However, she remained steadfast in her principles and work ethic.

“Very early in her career, in 2008, it became clear that she was adding value to the industry. Whatever one may say, her talent alone paved her way. She didn’t have to resort to shortcuts or compromise,” said Madhu. She also emphasised Priyanka’s discipline, saying, “She had her own principles—call them boundaries or discipline. She never stayed out past 7 PM and never attended late-night meetings. She carved her space while staying true to her values.”

Her unwavering determination allowed Priyanka to gain respect in an industry where actresses often struggle for equal opportunities. “Because of this, she earned the respect of people. If she had compromised or taken shortcuts, she wouldn’t have been respected. You may shine like a flame for a short while, but you will fade just as quickly,” Madhu Chopra reflected.

How gender bias in workplace reflects in everyday life

Dr Madhu’s revelations about Bollywood’s gender bias mirror the broader struggles that women face in various industries. The idea that “big money is spent on men, not women” is not just a Bollywood issue—it is a global reality. Women in many fields often have to work twice as hard to get the same recognition and investment as their male counterparts.

Dr Shaunak Ajinkya, consultant psychiatrist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, highlights the difficulties of confronting sexism in the workplace:

“There is a lot of research exploring why individuals respond to prejudice, including studies that focus on confronting people who engage in sexist remarks or behaviours,” he said. “This research identified several barriers—for example, people don’t recognize sexism, or deem it inappropriate, or they don’t know how to address it.”

According to Dr Ajinkya, men are worse than women at detecting sexism. “If a man can’t see the bias or doesn’t feel it should stop, it’s unlikely that he’ll step in. A recent Canadian research showed four categories of distinct behaviours among men when they’re faced with sexism— directly interrupt, redirect, unassertively react, or do nothing.”

If you witness sexist behavior, consider intervening. Studies show that direct confrontation is effective, but even subtle redirection can help.