If not an actor, Sara Ali Khan would have loved to be a lawyer or a politician. The youth icon and the newest star kid on the block, in conversation with famed television journalist Barkha Dutt as part of 'We The Women' summit held in Bengaluru on Sunday, spoke about her star kid status, the Hindi film industry, and took on gender stereotyping, discrimination, racism and body-shaming head-on.
"Being a star kid, attention and scrutiny are much more. But, I don't think it is a burden. We do have the privilege of better access. But, there are many people waiting to see us fail. However, the audience and media have given me more love than I deserve. I am blind to negative vibes," says Sara.
Does she ever feel the media glare is too much?
“I have been an actor for an year. But, other than the film industry, I know of no other world. While all the attention seems intrusive at times, the reverse could be worse. If the seven-odd photographers standing outside your gym don't click your photographs, it worries you more," says Sara.
The Kedarnath actor says gender stereotypes and discrimination perhaps exist in the film industry. But, it is unfair to blame just the filmmakers.
"I think, because of the way I have grown up, I am not a victim. I recognise the fact that our society can have a regressive view of women. It starts from mothers preferring sons to daughters. Change must begin in the family.”
Stating that equal opportunity and equal pay are bigger issues that need attention, Sara says one cannot compare any two roles as they are never the same.
"I am a newcomer and I am not paid as much as Ranveer Singh or Varun Dhawan. Our roles are not comparable. Maybe I would be paid the same if I were to do the same stunts or deliver punches like the male actor," says the two-film old actor.
On heroes having a longer shelf life in the industry, Sara says it has to do with audience taste.
"Audiences want older heroes romancing the daughters of their heroines. We really can't blame the heroes alone. If audiences say they don't like to see the same hero for the 96th time, maybe the actors will stop doing such roles. Good movies like Padmaavat or Raazi should be watched and appreciated more."
In a society obsessed with skin tone and "perfect" body types, the best way to tackle racism and body-shaming is to shield yourself from negativity, says Sara.
"Despite all the chatter on skin colour, I feel it does not define you. Being comfortable in your own skin is important," says Sara recalling her own experience of being "overweight".
"I was large, around 96kg. There is pressure to look a certain way. It can affect your confidence when people are rude. A realistic way is to not worry about what others say about you. Let people talk. You can change yourself and shield yourself from negativity. The world will not change," says Sara, who advocates a silent revolution rather than noisy protests and sloganeering.
Hypocrisy makes the young actor mad. "I am not judgmental and don't believe in a universal moral code. I don't like people being measured and calculating. I don't alter my personality. I have grown up confident. It is easier to be the person I am. It is stressful to be the girl that I am not."
The alumni of Columbia University says that studying away from home gives a sense of independence and immense opportunity for the young to know themselves better.
Studying abroad has taught me to respect diversity. Studying in New York helped me discover myself as people did not recognise me as the daughter of Saif and Amrita. It has made me tolerant and inclusive. I tell my brother Ibrahim to study outside, somewhere away from home," says Sara, adding that it is intriguing to see how diversity itself becomes divisive.
Speaking about her ambitions, Sara says, "I wanted to study law and I like politics too. But, there is a time for it. Right now, I want to be doing films," she says.
