Actress Fatima Clears the Air on Feminism – It’s About Equality, Not Anti-Men Sentiment

In a candid interview ahead of the release of her latest film Gustakh Ishq, actress Fatima Sana Shaikh clarified her stance on feminism, emphasising that it is not about misandry, but rather about equality for all. Fatima expressed her belief that many men misunderstand or dismiss the term “feminism,” either due to a lack of understanding or misinformation. She pointed out that online discussions about gender equality often veer off course, especially with false information circulating among men.

“Many men wrongly assume that feminism is about being anti-men, but it’s actually about fairness and equality, not putting anyone down,” Fatima said. “It’s a common misconception, and it’s important to clear that up.” She further added that people, when asked, often deny being feminists simply because they don’t understand the true meaning of the term.

For Fatima, the concept of feminism is simple: it’s about justice and equal rights for all genders. She explained that society still holds onto old stereotypes, like the notion that women do not support each other or that women are inherently more difficult to deal with. “These outdated ideas need to be challenged,” she said.

Reflecting on her own experiences, Fatima shared the example of Dhaak Dhaak, where director Tarun Duddeja, despite being a man, sensitively crafted a women-centric narrative. She believes this demonstrates that feminism is not about being anti-men, but about embracing the equality of all genders.

In her upcoming film Gustakh Ishq, directed by Vibhu Puri, Fatima stars alongside Vijay Varma, Nasiruddin Shah, and Sharib Hashmi. The film is set to release on 28th November 2025.