Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor, known for his versatile roles and charismatic screen presence, took to Instagram to voice a compelling message on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. With the country still in shock from the recent Kolkata rape-murder case, Kapoor’s words provided a thought-provoking commentary on the traditional roles and responsibilities that society imposes on men and women.
Raksha Bandhan, a revered Hindu festival, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Traditionally, sisters tie a rakhi, a protective thread, around their brothers’ wrists, signifying their love and a brother’s vow to protect his sister. However, Kapoor used this cultural backdrop to challenge and expand on these age-old notions, emphasizing the need for societal change.
In the video, Kapoor begins with a candid admission: “I’m about to go and celebrate Raksha Bandhan with my sisters, guys. It feels really strange to celebrate a festival with what’s happening, which has to do with protecting each other, protecting your sisters, being there for the women in your life, for the women that you love, that you care for.” He poignantly touched upon the dissonance between celebrating a festival oriented around protection and the grim realities facing women every day.
Kapoor, blessed with many sisters including Janhvi, Khushi, Anshula, Sonam, Rhea, and Shanaya, delved deep into the heart of the matter. “While we see so much anguish and a lack of basic understanding and education amongst a lot of the men, when we celebrate Rakhi, we speak about being a brother, taking care of,” he continued. His words echo the sentiments of many who question whether the ritualistic vow of protection on Raksha Bandhan goes far enough to address the root causes of violence and inequality faced by women.
The actor then raised a critical question: “Why aren’t we taught how to make the environment safe enough for all our sisters to roam around without needing a brother? All the time to protect and take care physically to be around?” Here, Kapoor identifies a cultural and educational gap that perpetuates the idea of men as protectors rather than allies who actively work to create safe spaces for women.
“Yes, I know the visual is something we got used to—that the brother is protective or the man is protective—but I think somewhere we need to teach other men that they need to make women feel safe rather than teach men to protect women,” he stated. Kapoor’s words challenge the conventional narrative that men’s role is limited to being protectors, suggesting instead that men should be educated to foster environments where women can feel inherently safe.
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Continuing his message, Kapoor remarked, “It’s a much bigger conversation. I think there’s a lot of education, there’s a lot of conversation, and there’s a lot of basic understanding that is lacking in our ecosystem. I don’t know how much this will change how people think, but it’s definitely something that’s been on my mind.” His reflection highlights the need for a systemic overhaul, one that prioritizes education and awareness from a young age to instill values of respect and equal treatment for women.
Kapoor also expressed his hope that his message could act as a catalyst for change: “And hopefully, even if it affects or resonates with a few people, at least it’s a conversation or a starting point. As a brother, as a man, I feel we need to change the way we perceive women in our lives.” His words call on men to reevaluate their roles, not just as protectors, but as integral parts of a support system that empowers women by providing them with a sense of security and respect.
He concluded with a heartfelt message, “I think somewhere, I feel men need to be taught how to allow women to feel safe around them, not just be there to protect them. I think that would be a big lesson if we could make the women around us, the girls, feel safe, not just for their safety, but to stand around them, to live in their lives. I just hope a lot of men think about how to be there for the women in their lives and make them stronger and powerful by making them feel safe.”
In addition to his heartfelt appeal, on the professional front, Arjun Kapoor is gearing up for his role as the antagonist in Rohit Shetty’s highly anticipated film, ‘Singham Again’.
Kapoor’s message arrives at a crucial time, urging society to shift its paradigms and create a safer, more empowering world for women. His call to action is not only timely but also essential in the collective effort to address and combat gender-based violence and inequality.
