SRK pledges to name female actors before him in credits

Actor feels atrocities against women are on the rise in India.

NEW DEHLI: Superstar Shahrukh Khan has taken a pledge on the occasion of International Women’s Day and says henceforth in all his films, the leading female actor’s name would appear before his in the credits. He is starting it with Chennai Express.

“I would request to all those who I am working with, starting with Chennai Express to do it. I don’t know whether this is going to bring a change but the point needs to be raised,” said SRK who has teamed up with Deepika Padukone in director Rohit Shetty’s Chennai Express.

“With the mark of 100 years of Indian cinema and Women’s Day coming up, it would be a nice combination. In Chennai Express, Padukone’s name will appear first,” he added.

When asked what Padukone’s reaction was when she found out she would be the first female actor to have her name before the lead actor in the credit, he said, “She was not jumping on the roof top. She said, ‘It’s great, but I hope even others start following this.’”

Atrocities against women are on the rise in the country and this Women’s Day Tata Tea’s Jaago Re campaign has started a new initiative, Women First, with Shahrukh.

The superstar unveiled the ad, directed by R Balki, on Wednesday and interacted with media and shared his views on women. The ad will be launched on Women’s Day.

SRK stressed upon the fact that “women’s position in every field needs to be respected”.

“Right from my mom to all the female actors I work with are the most important women in my life,” he added.

The actor, who has been part of filmdom for 20 years and worked with female directors — Hema Malini in Dil Aashna Hai and Farah Khan in Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om — assured he would try to collaborate with more women directors in the future.

“I will not make women-centric films just for the heck of it. In all my films, I’d assure all my female actors get enough importance for their roles. I would like to work with many more women directors.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2013.                   

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.