Konkona Sen Sharma is an inspiring actress who is not only a great actor but also a progressive one. She has portrayed various versatile roles in many progressive films – Page 3, Wake Up Sid, Talvar, Ek Thi Daayan, Lipstick Under My Burkha, and Dolly Kitty Aur Who Chamakte Sitare.
For her great performances, Konkona has also won two National Film Awards. Sen’s choice of roles is proof that she is a progressive actor, with strong viewpoints. Here are 16 Konkona Sen Sharma quotes that share glimpse of her progressive, feminist, and intelligent take on life:
#1: On Feminsim
“I am surprised feminism is getting such a bad reputation because the minute you believe in equality, whether you want the label or not, you already are a feminist!” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#2: On Women Multi-tasking
“It is quite a marvel that we women manage to do as much as we do!” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#3: On Parenthood
“My mother always said ‘it’s better for a child to have happy parents apart rather than unhappy parents together’” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#4: On Life & Death
“I do believe that life is a series of distractions from death. The only certainty is that you have to die, so do things that make you happy. At the end of your life, you will not remember your best work but will remember just moments with people.” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#5: On Humanity
“Not everybody is exactly the same, and superficially, we are all different in different ways. The common thread is the humanity that binds us.” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#6: On Women & Cinema
“When it comes to portraying women on screen, we hardly see any representation of women over 30. So does that mean we don’t want to know about women once they cross 30 and have a husband and children?” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#7: On Discrimination
“The discrimination that women face cuts across nationality, caste, class, and age. It doesn’t matter where you live or how much money you have. Women have always been dictated about what they should wear and how they should behave.” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#8: On Gender Roles
“It’s convenient to box men and women with certain roles. We are going to be like this, they are going to be like that. Everything is fine and we are all safe, is it?” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#9: On Financial Independence
“Being financially independent as well as having a house of your own is of utmost importance for a woman.” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#10: On Relationships
“Relationships are overrated.” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#11: On Gender Inequality
“There are so many everyday instances of gender inequality that happen around him. In our neighborhood, kids play football in the evening, and once I had a conversation with my son about the fact that it was boys who were playing and the girls were nowhere to be seen. I feel it is important to have such conversations and make your child aware of gender because in so many un-thinking ways they can learn about patriarchy”. ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#12: On Pressure Of Fitting-In
“In the beginning of my career, I was very unhappy. I felt a lot of pressure to look a certain way. I was very uncomfortable with the whole situation. But eventually, things changed. I don’t know how and when, but it changed!” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#13: On Parenthood
“It is hard for parents alone to counter the existing patriarchy. The community, society & schools mould a child’s perspective towards gender.” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#14: On Women & Cinema
“We have been seeing cinema from a male perspective for a very long time & there are things which are given, which are allowed & things which are normalised, like harassment or stalking, not just in films but in ads and music videos too!” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#15: On Being An Outsider
“Even after so many years in the industry, I’m an outsider & I love this position. It gives me a great perspective. I’m not in the thick of things & I don’t want to be.” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma
#16: On Doing Dark Roles
“I am generally interested in things, which are unexplored, uncomfortable, and dark. If everything is light and happy, it is a little boring!” ~ Konkona Sen Sharma