Akshay Kumar points out a major reason behind rapes in India

The recent films of Akshay Kumar have catered to various relevant subjects. His forthcoming release ‘Toilet: Ek Prem Katha’ will be no exception. Directed by Shree Narayan Singh, it has a humorous take on the ongoing Swacch Bharat initiative.

Akshay seems to firmly believe in what his film is going to speak. In a recent conversation with Bollywood Life, he opened up on how not the lack of privelege but the preset mindsets regarding defecation are often the problem. He went on to add how open defecation can call for sexual violence on women. ( Also Read: Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon all set to come together after 13 years?)

“I’m doing a film called Toilet. I feel very strongly about it, about women. Because I met few of the women in India, who have no other choice than to go to fields for open defecation. They go there and so much of problems happen. 54 percent of India doesn’t have toilets. They all go in the fields. Not that they don’t have the money or government is not giving them. Government makes it for them but the whole belief is that they would defecate outside and feel more content. That’s the most stupidest thing I’ve ever heard but that is the belief they have. And in that, women go through a lot. That is why I felt like making this film,” Akshay said. [sic]

“When I heard about the real story of how a woman stood by her ground, she got married to a guy and she realised that he doesn’t have a toilet at his place, and she asks for a divorce, for just one toilet. Just one toilet and I think that woman is unbelievable for standing her ground. It’s not about the toilet, it’s about the shame you go through. I was reading somewhere, if open defecation stops completely in India, 30 percent of rape cases would come down. Because when they go in the fields and all, men are waiting there. This is what happens. It’s a very serious offence. A very serious thing. But I’ve made the whole story in a funny way. I’ve not made it into a preachy thing,” he added.

The film will have starlet Bhoomi Pednekar essaying the leading lady’s role. It releases on 11th August 2017.

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.