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Exclusive: Vikram, Malavika Mohanan speak about women’s safety amid Kolkata incident

Actors Chiyaan Vikram and Malavika Mohanan spoke out about women’s safety following a recent incident in Kolkata. They spoke to IndiaToday.in while promoting their upcoming film ‘Thangalaan’.

Chiyaan Vikram Malavika Mohanan

Chiyaan Vikram and Malavika Mohanan address women’s safety in India (Photo – Yogen Shah)

In light of a recent incident in Kolkata that has once again brought the issue of women’s safety to the forefront, actors Chiyaan Vikram and Malavika Mohanan have voiced their concerns. In an exclusive interview with IndiaToday.In, Vikram, known for his strong stance on social issues, emphasised on the need for a cultural shift in how society views and treats women. He also expressed his dismay over the recurring incidents of violence and harassment against women.

“Equality is a must. Women should not have the fear to step out at night, even if it’s 3 am,” Chiyaan Vikram told us, adding, “I have heard in Mumbai you can walk out even if it’s late, but it can’t happen in Tamil Nadu. Like in Singapore, you talk about girls who are just out of college or school and they would be coming from the most protected families. They’ll be walking all over at 3-4 in the morning, and they can do it without fear. I mean, that is the best place to be, right? So when you hear the stories about whatever is happening now, your heart aches and you just hope that people come to their senses.”

He also added, “It’s not just hoping. I think all of us have to work in that direction. I think you start teaching your children, start at home. It has to be inculcated in children—whether it’s equality or the safety of women, you need to start these lessons when they are children.”

Actor Malavika Mohanan, who has also been vocal about women’s rights and safety, expressed her concern over the Kolkata incident too.

“It broke my heart because I remember we were in the middle of promotions, and here I am talking about female empowerment and about having played a character who’s standing up for herself, who’s fighting for herself, and then this happened. I was so shaken because I’m just like, it’s such a large conversation,” she told IndiaToday.In.

Mohanan added, “How do we get to the root of this and just stop it? It makes you feel helpless. It makes you feel like, ‘how, where?’ It happens all the time. It’s the mindset. It’s a patriarchal mindset. Actually, it’s not just a patriarchal mindset; it’s not just blaming men, it’s blaming the mindset. A lot of women are privy to that mindset as well. So attacking that, getting to the root of that, and just… I have a lot to say. I could go on,” she said.

Vikram and Malavika are currently promoting their upcoming film ‘Thangalaan’, which is set to release on September 6.