Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar, whose recent film ‘Bhakshak’ highlighted the harrowing sexual abuse faced by young girls in a shelter home, took to social media to deliver a powerful message on Raksha Bandhan. Her post arrives amidst the fury and outrage in Kolkata following the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor. In her heartfelt message, Bhumi questioned the very essence of Raksha Bandhan and its relevance in today’s world.
“Happy Raksha Bandhan! I’ve been fortunate to have had brothers and men in my life who have been my allies. Thank you!” she began her post. Despite the gratitude, Bhumi expressed a deep concern regarding the current state of women’s safety and the perceived need for male protection.
Reflecting in Hindi, Bhumi painted a grim picture of the societal issues that women face, recounting numerous incidents from childhood memories where women suffered grievously. “We have been hearing since childhood—So-and-so’s sister is beaten badly by her husband but cannot leave him. Her sister met with an accident, which seemed like a dowry case. Her sister was about to go to college, but harassment forced her to stop. Someone threw acid on her sister, boys would harass her, she raised her voice and this happened. Her sister was returning from work in the evening and got raped. She accompanied her friend on a bus and got raped. She was on her way to school and got raped. She was working in the fields and got raped. She was working late at night in the office and got raped.”
The actress didn’t hold back as she questioned the relevance of the traditional protective role of brothers. She said, “It’s 2024, why do we still need protection from our brothers? How many times and from how many people will our brothers save us? All those men who committed these crimes against women were someone’s brothers.
. When they did such heinous acts, did they not think about their sisters and mothers?”
Bhumi’s message was not just a critique but also a call to action. She implored society to raise their voices and fight alongside their sisters and daughters. “Where is fear? Where is humanity? This Raksha Bandhan, raise your voices and fight alongside your sisters and daughters. Teach your sons good morals, and educate them so that the next generation doesn’t hear the same stories,” she urged.
Bhumi has been vocal about issues of women’s safety and empowerment, and her roles in cinema reflect this stance. Her portrayal in ‘Bhakshak’ was a stark depiction of the real struggles faced by abused young girls. The film was not just a piece of cinema for Bhumi; it was a mirror held up to society to reflect on its own failures and responsibilities.
On her professional front, Bhumi is gearing up to play the role of a police officer in the upcoming web series ‘Daldal.’ Directed by Amrit Raj Gupta, the project is based on Bhendi Bazaar by Vish Dhamija. Bhumi will also be seen in ‘The Royals’ on Netflix, sharing the screen with notable actors such as Zeenat Aman, Ishaan Khatter, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Milind Soman, and Dino Morea.
The mention of these projects demonstrates Bhumi’s versatility and commitment to impactful storytelling, both in her career and personal advocacy. Her message on Raksha Bandhan resonates deeply with the current climate of mounting concerns over women’s safety. She calls for a collective introspection and concrete steps toward building a society where women no longer need to rely on the shielding hands of their brothers but can walk free, equal, and unharmed.
The post sparked significant engagement, with many applauding her courage for talking about such pressing issues while others called for more stringent measures to protect women. Bhumi’s voice adds to the chorus of many activists and public figures who urge both men and society at large to introspect and enact real change. Her emphasis on teaching good morals to sons is a reminder that the onus of change lies not just in punitive measures but in the roots of child-rearing and societal values.
As the debate continues, Bhumi’s words serve as a poignant reminder of the work that remains and the responsibility everyone shares in creating a safer, more just world for women. Her advocacy on this traditional festival urges us to look beyond rituals and towards the fundamental values of humanity and justice.
