Dia Mirza slams patriarchy in Bollywood

Actor was upset that no women accompanied Karan Johar, Akshay Kumar at their meeting with PM Narendra Modi

Karan Johar, Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar met Indian PM Modi to talk about issues existing in Bollywood.

"Heartfelt thank you to the honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking out time to hear us at length, discuss issues pertaining to our industry and assuring positive consideration of suggestions," the Gold actor wrote in a tweet.

Heartfelt thank you to the honorable Prime Minister @narendramodi ji for taking out time to hear us at length, discuss issues pertaining to our industry and assuring positive consideration of suggestions. pic.twitter.com/ShGfr0Jlvu

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 18, 2018

Dia Mirza responded to Akshay's tweet and raised concern about zero representation of women in the meeting. She says gender equality can only be achieved if women must be part of all conversations.

 

"This is wonderful! Is there a reason why there were no women in this room," Dia posted.

This is wonderful! Is there a reason why there were no women in this room? @akshaykumar https://t.co/oO9teT3Gyi

— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) December 19, 2018

"How can an entire industry be represented only by men," questioned Dia in another tweet.

True. Wish one of the men had asked this question. How can an entire Industry be represented only by men? https://t.co/SqeRGFT3FV

— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) December 20, 2018

When a social media user questioned Dia about why everything has become about competition between men and women, she commented, "It's not about competition! It's such a fundamental thing. If we hope to achieve equality we must be included in all conversations! Of course women are doing well. We are doing well despite the fact that we are excluded. And doesn't that need to change?"

It’s not about competition! It’s such a fundamental thing. If we hope to achieve equality we must be included in all conversations! Of course women are doing well. We are doing well despite the fact that we are excluded. And doesn’t that need to change? https://t.co/D9ug3OG55U

— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) December 20, 2018

The meeting, held in Mumbai on Tuesday, had a room full of men. The delegation, including the likes of Karan Johar, Akshay Kumar, Bhushan Kumar, Siddharth Roy Kapur and Prasoon Joshi, pitched for lower and uniform rates of GST for the entertainment industry in India, apart from calling for the development of Mumbai as the global entertainment capital, through various initiatives and proactive approaches.

Actor Sandhya Mridul also wrote to Akshay saying, "Great. We women have no issues to discuss. Obviously."

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