In an eye-opening revelation, Saba Azad, a multifaceted actress and singer who has been consistently in the limelight for her relationship with Bollywood megastar Hrithik Roshan, has addressed the toll this high-profile relationship has taken on her career. Azad disclosed that the industry’s entrenched ‘patriarchal and regressive mindset’ has significantly impacted her job opportunities, particularly in the field of voice acting.
Saba Azad, known for her acting and musical talents, has been dating Hrithik Roshan for quite some time. The couple frequently captures public attention with their joint appearances at events, affectionate social media posts, and picturesque vacations. However, beneath the glamour and public adulation lies a troubling narrative of professional setbacks, as revealed by Azad herself.
On a recent Friday, Azad took to Instagram to share her experiences, posting a candid picture of herself in a dubbing studio, standing before a microphone. The caption read, “Back in my natural habitat- recording a VO…” In another post with a similar picture, she added, “Yep!!! More than two years!! Why? Welll..”
Azad went on to explain her ordeal in detail. “So some of you know, some of you don’t, but I’ve been a voice actor for a little over a decade and a half and worked on a couple of hundred ads, if not more,” she began. Despite her extensive experience and continued interest in voice acting, Azad was left puzzled by the sudden drop in job offers.
“I never told anyone I’m quitting, never said I’m disinterested, never altered my session fees. Nothing was different from my end, so what changed?” she questioned. The mystery remained unsolved until about a month ago, when a chance encounter with a former collaborator revealed a shocking truth.
Azad recounted the conversation that left her bewildered. “I met a director I used to work with regularly, and I couldn’t help myself and straight-up asked him, ‘Hey man, I’m curious, why don’t you guys call me for VOs anymore? What happened?'” The director’s response was startling. “Oh, we just thought you wouldn’t like to do something like voice-over anymore…
.given,” he hesitated, leaving the implication hanging in the air.
Reflecting on the conversation, Azad elaborated, “It’s important for me to share that this person is amazing. He is one of the best directors in the business, super progressive, and chill, the kind of person I like to work with. So this was the last thing I expected him to say. In short, he said he didn’t think I would do a job like a VO given where I am in life… i.e., who I am dating.”
In an emotional and incredulous tone, Azad continued her posts, indicting the antiquated assumptions still prevalent in modern society. “Are we really still living in the dark ages where we assume a woman in a relationship with a successful partner no longer has to put food on her own table? Or pay her rent and bills? Or take pride in her work and take care of herself and her family??? What kind of archaic assumption is that to make??”
Azad’s frustration was palpable as she described the impact these misconceptions had on her livelihood. “So I basically lost a whole career that I absolutely loved and appreciated because people thought I didn’t need to work anymore??? This is sadly a one-dimensional patriarchal and regressive mindset,” she lamented.
In her concluding remarks, Azad sought to dismantle these stereotypes, advocating for the individuality and independence of both partners in a relationship. “For the uninitiated, when two strong independent individuals come together, they don’t give up their identities, lives, and careers to do so. They hold on to their individuality and share from a place of freedom and strength. I still gotta put food on my table, you guys 🙂 so losing a whole career because of someone else’s presumptuous ignorance really hurts.”
In a final plea to industry professionals, Azad reaffirmed her commitment to voice acting. “So again, no, I haven’t quit, all ye makers of ads— I still do VOs. So please, for the love of God, undo your assumptions and let’s get recording already,” she emphasized before signing off.
The case of Saba Azad brings to light the persistent gender biases within the entertainment industry, prompting a broader conversation about equality and the need to challenge outdated norms. Her candid revelations will undoubtedly resonate with many, underscoring the importance of respecting professional integrity irrespective of one’s personal life.
