Actor Ram Kapoor, known for his prominent roles in television and film, recently expressed his views on gender equality in the entertainment industry. In an interview with Hindustan Times, the Bade Achhe Lagte Hain star shared his thoughts on the current dynamics of the industry, emphasizing that these dynamics are largely shaped by audience preferences.
Gender Equality and Audience Influence
According to Ram Kapoor, discussions about gender equality in the entertainment world often overlook the fact that the audience plays a crucial role in determining the power dynamics between male and female actors. “I don’t think gender equality needs to really happen in the entertainment industry because the dynamic has been chosen by the audience,” Kapoor said, suggesting that the industry reflects the public’s preferences rather than an imposed hierarchy.
Kapoor noted that during his 15 years in television, female leads often overshadowed their male counterparts, citing characters like Tulsi and Parvati from popular TV serials. “In those entire 15 years, I never cared about male gender economy. The female lead was always bigger than the male lead, and I was totally okay with that because it’s what the audience wanted,” he explained.
Feminist Movement and Male Representation
Kapoor also shared his views on the feminist movement, questioning why there isn’t as much focus on industries where men are sidelined. He pointed to the modelling industry as an example, where female models like Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford dominate globally, leaving their male counterparts in the shadows. “Does anyone remember a single male model of that time? There, nobody talks about gender equality,” Kapoor stated, arguing that gender dynamics vary across industries, and the focus on inequality in entertainment may be overstated.
He added, “Every industry has a structure that society wanted, so why try to fight it? Whether it’s Bollywood where males dominate or television where females dominate, the audience decides what they want.”
Ram Kapoor in The Khalbali Records
Kapoor is currently seen in The Khalbali Records, streaming on JioCinema Premium. The series, directed by Devanshu Singh, explores the world of Indie music and stars Skand Thakur, Saloni Batra, and Punjabi rapper Prabh Deep. Kapoor said he enjoyed working on the project, particularly because it allowed him to explore the complex relationship between a father and son. “Rather than focusing on the artist, I focused on my relationship with my son, which made it exciting to work on,” he concluded.
