The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began in Goa yesterday. Many celebrities and film industry personalities attended the opening ceremony. The first-panel discussion on Women’s Safety and Cinema concluded yesterday. During the panel discussion, Khushboo’s comments garnered everyone’s attention.
During the conversation, a question was asked, “Are women facing hard times only in the film industry?”
A long time ago, a hero asked if there was a chance for him during the cycle gap. I replied, ‘My chappal size is 41. Should I slap you here or in front of the set?’
– #Kushboo at a masterclass on ‘Women’s Safety and Cinema.’#GulteExclusive @IFFIGoa #IFFI2024 pic.twitter.com/AdlubnZllC
Answering the same, Khushboo stated, “No, there are hard times for women everywhere, from traveling in a bus to every corner. Long back, a hero asked if there was a chance for him in the break time; I replied, my chappal size is 41. Should I slap here or in front of everyone on the set? At that time, I was only thinking about my self-respect, not my career. Women should stand up against hard times in that instance instead of worrying about the consequences.”
Renowned actor and producer Vani Tripathi Tikoo moderated the panel discussion, which included Imtiaz Ali, Suhasini Maniratnam, Bhumi Pednekar, and Khushboo. Together, the panelists discussed the crucial issues surrounding women’s safety in the film industry, gender representation, and cinema’s role in shaping societal values.