Fatima Sana Shaikh on feminism: 'Shocking actresses deny being feminists'
Synopsis
Fatima Sana Shaikh has called out Bollywood's quiet disavowal of feminism, saying she's 'shocked' that actresses still won't claim the word. Ahead of her cop drama Hunkkaar: The Roar on JioHotstar, she invoked Priyanka Chopra Jonas as the industry's clearest example that feminism and a mass fan base are not mutually exclusive.
Key Takeaways
Fatima Sana Shaikh said she finds it 'shocking' that some actresses refuse to identify as feminists.
She cited Priyanka Chopra Jonas as evidence that openly calling oneself a feminist does not hurt a star's male fan base.
Fatima plays a cop investigating a sexual assault case involving a minor in Hunkkaar: The Roar , co-starring Aneet Padda .
The series is directed by Karan D Kapadia and Nitya Mehra , produced by Birla Studios , Applause Entertainment , Purple Pebble Pictures , and Mangata Films .
Hunkkaar: The Roar begins streaming on JioHotstar from 25 September .
Fatima Sana Shaikh, set to headline the JioHotstar crime drama Hunkkaar: The Roar, has spoken out candidly about the word that many in Bollywood still treat as a liability — feminism. The actor, who plays a tenacious police officer in the series, said she finds it 'shocking' that some of her contemporaries refuse to identify with the term.
What Fatima Said
'Feminism is treated like a bad word by a lot of people. It's shocking that there are actresses who say they aren't feminists. By being a feminist, I'm not snatching away a man's rights. I'm just asking for equal rights for myself,' Fatima said.
Her remarks cut through an industry where female stars have historically hedged on the label, often fearing audience backlash or brand friction. Fatima's stance is unambiguous — and she has company in Priyanka Chopra Jonas, whom she cited as proof that owning the term carries no commercial penalty.
Priyanka Chopra as the Benchmark
'Priyanka Chopra calls herself a feminist and has a huge male fan base. If your intention is clear and you aren't dumb about it, people will listen to you,' Fatima added. The reference is pointed: Chopra Jonas is among the few A-listers who have consistently used the word without hedging, and has remained a box-office and brand force across markets.
About the Show and Its Themes
In Hunkkaar: The Roar, Fatima's character investigates a case in which a minor — played by Aneet Padda — accuses a spiritual guru of sexual assault. Fatima described the project as one of the most enriching experiences of her career, noting that the makers treated her as an equal throughout the production process.
The series is produced by Birla Studios and Applause Entertainment in association with Purple Pebble Pictures and Mangata Films. It is directed by Karan D Kapadia and Nitya Mehra. Hunkkaar: The Roar streams on JioHotstar from 25 September.
The Story at the Centre
The crime drama places a woman's fight for truth and justice at the heart of its narrative. Aneet Padda plays an assault survivor in what is described as a challenging role, while Fatima's no-nonsense cop drives the investigation forward. The teaser frames the show as a collision between crime, power, and institutional accountability — themes that resonate well beyond the screen.
With the show's release days away, Fatima's remarks add a layer of real-world intent to the fictional premise — and signal that she sees the role as more than a performance.
Point of View
Dismantling the industry's favourite excuse that the label is commercially toxic. What Fatima is really challenging is not ideology but calculation: the quiet cost-benefit decision that drives many female stars to perform neutrality. Whether her bluntness translates into wider industry conversation, or stays a headline tied to a show launch, will depend on whether others follow — or stay silent.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Fatima Sana Shaikh say about feminism?
Fatima Sana Shaikh said she finds it 'shocking' that some actresses publicly say they are not feminists. She clarified that identifying as a feminist is about asking for equal rights, not taking anything away from men.
Who did Fatima Sana Shaikh cite as a feminist role model in Bollywood?
Fatima pointed to Priyanka Chopra Jonas, noting that Chopra Jonas openly calls herself a feminist and still commands a large male fan base. She argued that clarity of intention, not the label itself, determines how audiences respond.
What is Hunkkaar: The Roar about?
Hunkkaar: The Roar is a JioHotstar crime drama in which Fatima Sana Shaikh plays a police officer investigating a case where a minor, played by Aneet Padda, accuses a spiritual guru of sexual assault. The show centres on themes of crime, justice, and power.
When does Hunkkaar: The Roar release and where can it be watched?
Hunkkaar: The Roar begins streaming on JioHotstar from 25 September. It is directed by Karan D Kapadia and Nitya Mehra and produced by Birla Studios, Applause Entertainment, Purple Pebble Pictures, and Mangata Films.
Who stars alongside Fatima Sana Shaikh in Hunkkaar: The Roar?
Aneet Padda co-stars in the series, playing the role of an assault survivor — described as one of the most challenging characters in her acting career so far.
