Fatima Sana Shaikh on Feminism, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Playing a Cop in Hunkkaar: The Roar

Fatima Sana Shaikh has never shied away from calling herself a feminist. Ahead of Hunkkaar: The Roar, where she plays a determined cop, the actor spoke about the word so many in the industry avoid, and credited Priyanka Chopra Jonas for owning it.

“Feminism is treated like a bad word by a lot of people. It’s shocking that there are actresses who say they aren’t feminists. By being a feminist, I’m not snatching away a man’s rights. I’m just asking for equal rights for myself,” says Shaikh.

She points to Priyanka as proof that the label doesn’t cost you an audience. “Priyanka Chopra calls herself a feminist and has a huge male fan base. If your intention is clear and you aren’t dumb about it, people will listen to you.”

In the JioHotstar series, Shaikh plays a cop investigating a case in which a minor, played by Aneet Padda, accuses a spiritual guru of sexual assault. She calls it one of the most enriching experiences of her career, largely because the makers treated her as an equal.

Produced by Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment in association with Purple Pebble Pictures and Mangata Films, and directed by Karan D Kapadia and Nitya Mehra, Hunkkaar: The Roar streams on JioHotstar from September 25.

One check before it goes out: “treated like a bad word” softens her looked at as an abuse. If the quote needs to stay keep her original wording.