Who’s behind a successful woman? Farhan Akhtar knows…

Around three years back, Farhan Akhtar started a campaign upholding gender equality in all spheres of life. Called MARD or Men Against Rape and Discrimination, the campaign intends to drive positive force in favour of a safer and a happier world for women. It has created strong stirs and received thumbs up from Indian film fraternity.

A few days back, on Father’s Day, MARD came up with a heart-melting video of actress Vidya Balan’s father who narrated how he was pressurised for having a son despite having two daughters already. He never gave up though. Today, it is Vidya who puts him and his family to pride. In this light, asks Farhan, who is really behind a successful woman? May be a father, a brother or a friend? A man who helped her bring out the best from her? (Also Read: Farhan Akhtar comes aboard as a boxer in Mohit Suri’s next, and the story has a real life connect)

“We’ve heard this age-old adage: ‘Behind every successful man is a woman.’ This needs to be turned on its head. For, behind every successful woman can also be a man — whether a father, husband, brother, or friend — helping her get a fair chance at fulfilling her dreams, and ambitions. Someone who’s equally proud, happy, and complementary of her success. This is the story that needs to be told more, and more,” writes Farhan, for ‘Bollywood Bole Toh‘ on Mid-day.

And thus, as we gear up for a more powerful world with powerful women, here’s a toast to the men who held us strong on those gloomy days!

Ranjini Maitra

Journalist. Writer. Reader. Enthu cutlet. Mood-swing machine. Day dreamer. Sandwiched between ‘live life fully’ and ‘lose some weight’. Mantra of life: Love and love more.