Indian actor Akshay Kumar is a no-nonsense man. He is the only actor in the Indian film industry who does morning shifts. He is also known for speaking his mind no matter what the circumstances.

Recently, the entire Indian nation was horrified to see CCTV footage of young girls being manhandled and molested on New Year’s Eve. The issue was compounded when a politician mindlessly justified it by commenting about some girls’ sartorial sense.

Akshay K immediately recorded a video message not only condemning the incident but also the politician for giving a stupid statement. Soon, other actors followed suit, including Anushka Sharma, and raised their voices remonstrating against male chauvinism. Now, that’s exactly how artists should behave. Even if they believe in the dictum ‘art for art’s sake’, they are members of society and have a role to play in it. More power to all the girls everywhere in the world. Well done. Akshay K!

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, January 15th, 2017