Recently, popular film actor Chiranjeevi ruffled feathers by making a statement that laid bare the deeply ingrained patriarchal mindset in Indian society. He expressed his desire for his son to produce a male child, citing an excess of girls in the family. This tone-deaf sexist remark, coming from a senior and much-respected actor, was steeped in misogynistic implications, reflecting the long-standing preference for male offspring — a bias that has dogged Indian culture for generations.

Chiranjeevi’s statement, whether made in jest or reflecting personal beliefs, underscores a larger societal issue where women continue to face gender bias. When famous male actors make sexist, insensitive, and senseless comments, it’s a wake-up call. As the saying goes, “Silence is the voice of complicity.” Turning a blind eye could lead to a slippery slope, normalising regressive attitudes in society. Elsewhere, Andrew Tate, a TikTok star and an incorrigible misogynist, says that women belong in the home, can’t drive, and are a man’s property.

In 2015, actor Salman Khan landed in hot water after saying that his gruelling filming schedule made him feel like a “raped woman.” His careless comparison of such a severe crime to his personal struggle highlighted the insensitivity of one of the most........

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