Manushi Chhillar Calls Out Sexist Double Standards In Bollywood: 'Stop Dismissing Women...'

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Manushi Chhillar slams misogyny in the film industry, calling herself self-made and financially independent while urging women to ignore sexist judgment.
Bollywood actress Manushi Chhillar has spoken out strongly against the misogynistic mindset that often undermines women's success—particularly in the entertainment industry—by attributing it to male support or influence. In a powerful Instagram note, she called out the gender bias that questions women's merit and agency, reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
Her statement comes in the wake of a viral Reddit post referencing a blind item that baselessly linked her to elite 'sugar daddy circles" of businessmen and entrepreneurs. Without naming the source, Manushi addressed the narrative head-on.
'A misogynistic mindset finds it easier to attribute a woman's success to a man's patronage than her own merit," she wrote. 'I've ignored such silly comments for the most part, but the pattern of disrespect towards working women—especially in our industry—needs to be addressed."
A misogynistic mindset finds it easier to attribute a woman's success to a man's patronage than her own merit.I've always really ignored silly comments which have no consequence in the real world, but I constantly see working women, specially in the entertainment industry being…— Manushi Chhillar (@ManushiChhillar) May 31, 2025
The former Miss World emphasized the values she was raised with, citing her upbringing in a progressive, education-focused environment. 'In my world, being a good doctor mattered—not whether you were a man or a woman. But in the real world, I've seen how men are seen as hardworking and talented, while successful women are often dismissed as opportunists or gold diggers."
She went on to reaffirm her own sense of identity and achievement, 'I'm a financially independent, self-made, working woman. I take pride in living life on my own terms, surrounding myself with people who inspire me, and making decisions that align with my dreams—not someone else's expectations."
Manushi also left a strong message for women navigating similar scrutiny, 'Dear girls, there is a lot of joy in being independent—and yes, it will make many uncomfortable. The easiest thing they'll do is question your character. Ignore it. Having your own life is worth it."
On the work front, Manushi was last seen in Bade Miyan Chote Miyan alongside Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. She debuted with Samrat Prithviraj in 2022 and is set to headline upcoming films like Maalik and Tehran.
First Published:
May 31, 2025, 14:14 IST