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Call me a ‘bimbo’ but I will always speak up: Sonam Kapoor

Call me a ‘bimbo’ but I will always speak up: Sonam Kapoor

The actress cleverly hits back at trolls and talks about standing up for what's right and against religious intolerance
21 Apr, 2017

How many of us have brushed Sonam Kapoor off as just another genetically blessed, airhead actress?

Well, Kapoor's here to prove you wrong...once again. It's a pity that she has to do so over and over again.

With her brilliant new piece in Hindustan Times, the Neerja actress opens up about being pigeon-holed, among other things, and believing in her self-worth, even when millions of trolls on the internet try to tell her otherwise.

On people trying to put you down

"You might call me a ‘bimbo’, a ‘naachne wali’, but you know what, I’m a terribly self-assured woman. I have a strong sense of self and I don’t need you to tell me who I am. I would not have the balls to do what I do, wear what I wear or say what I say, if I didn’t have self-worth," writes the 31-year-old leading lady.

"The trolls can be sexist and judgmental but I know I’m smart and capable of expressing an opinion. I’m a successful woman, a feminist, a humanist, a national award winner and I say this with a great sense of pride and satisfaction: I get to live a fairy tale life every single day."

She adds: "I walk the international stage, I’m an avid reader with a library full of books, I am a consumer of news, an engaged Indian and so very capable of having a discussion on any issue, with anyone. Just because I’m an actor, it doesn’t mean I can’t have an opinion."

On speaking up when it matters

The actress went on to talk about how she always makes her voice heard when she feels strongly about something.

"I spoke up when the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film, Padmavati, were vandalised. I have spoken up against meat bans. I’ve taken sides with my colleagues and spoken up when Sonakshi Sinha was fat-shamed or Anushka Sharma, an amazingly talented actress, was picked on only because people think they have the right to comment on our sizes or our boyfriends," she reveals.

"The truth is, in public life, we do end up being role models. I have 10 million followers on Twitter and even if 10% of those are trolls, that’s still nine million people that I feel accountable to. I owe them an opinion, a peek into my mind, and that’s why I speak up. It is important to take sides and I do so without fear. Not taking a position is cowardice."

On beauty and intellect not being mutually exclusive

Chances are, majority of us have at some point wished we were more attractive. But that raises the age-old question: are beautiful women not taken seriously?

"People think we don’t have brains because we dress up and look beautiful. Thankfully, I’m comfortable under my skin and in my head," says Sonam.

On religious intolerance

The Raanjhanaa star also hit back at bigots who deem her anti-national for being inquisitive.

"I’m a proud Indian. I love my country but for some of you — and you’re the bigots, not me — I become ‘anti-national’ only because I ask questions or choose to be critical. Listen to the national anthem one more time. Recall the line you heard as kids, ‘Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Issai…"

"I’m a practising Hindu but my best friends are Muslims and I’m not giving them sermons on why being a Hindu is something better. Nor, for that matter are they. By the way, I am a strict vegetarian. I don’t even eat eggs but I don’t have a problem with what anyone else eats. How can you choose for anyone else? How can you take freedom of choice — a fundamental right — away from anyone else?"

Read her powerful piece in its entirety here.

Comments

Armchair revolutionary Apr 21, 2017 05:10pm
A lady with a beautiful head on her shoulders. The beauty lies not in the eyes of the beholder, it actually lies in the mind of a person that makes him or her ugly or beautiful. Sonam, no doubt a beautiful lady in terms of her face and figures, she really is a very fine and beautiful human being. A salute to her from a Pakistani national.
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satt Apr 21, 2017 05:25pm
Heyy Bimbo...you are awesome.
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INDIAN Apr 21, 2017 05:58pm
Well your views are progressive and great but it can't be said about your acting mam without Kapoor as your last name you will not survive
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Kai Apr 21, 2017 06:48pm
Respect :)
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DW Apr 21, 2017 07:09pm
Ok whatever
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Abraham haque Apr 21, 2017 07:27pm
@INDIAN that is your opinion,
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changez khan Apr 21, 2017 08:11pm
You are not a 'bimbo', you are the best.
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Thoroughthinker Apr 21, 2017 08:17pm
Beauty of a person comprise 33% of looks, 33 % of truth and 34% of goodness, or Human Virtues. Interestingly, they all very seldom are found together with sufficient percentage in a person.
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kerala Apr 21, 2017 08:44pm
Sonam may be 31 but her tantrums and her statements are of a 13 yr old. She got her career because of being in the kapoor family. Otherwise who will pick this face from 1billion people for "Neerja"-her only"true film" till now.
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Akhtar Apr 21, 2017 09:04pm
@satt Show some respect to the lady.
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satt Apr 21, 2017 09:25pm
@Akhtar Show some love to the lady.
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Asif Kidwai Apr 21, 2017 10:21pm
salute you Miss Sonam and we need more folks like you in the world because you are beautiful from inside out.
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Mirza Apr 22, 2017 05:01am
We need a few more like this lady. Bravo young lady. you make all of us proud.
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Ash20 Apr 22, 2017 07:12am
Whatever she says ok and not many care but I will say she is media publicity actress. Since she is daughter of famous actor so heavily promoted by money power but she is well below average actress. See her movies and her acting and she is a bad actress.
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Sheraz khan Apr 22, 2017 10:20am
Strong, true and reasonable mind showing respect and self confidence..... she deserves 2 b loved
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Sheraz khan Apr 22, 2017 10:29am
Strong , true and reasonable mind showing respect which scarces n society , a skyscraper of selfconfidence in ur frontals z a beauty n itself ,the lady needs 2 be showered with an apocalypse of respect and love....
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Ahmad Apr 22, 2017 11:39am
I like the way she sound.
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D.K. PAMNANI Apr 22, 2017 12:29pm
She is the daughter of Anil Kapoor. Tell me, has she any talent. Many girls, more beautiful, talented, could not reach Bollywood. She should thank to her father. Otherwise she is zero.
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M@f Apr 23, 2017 04:53am
At least she has a courage to speak her heart out. Some people just born to hate and create mess. Good Luck Sonam
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Sri1 Apr 23, 2017 10:35am
@Mirza "We need a few more like this lady. Bravo young lady. you make all of us proud" Most Indians are exactly like this typical lady, with a live and let live motto and a positive way of life ingrained in them. We all can see the differences between Indians and their subcontinental neighbours, every single day.
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Arman malik Apr 23, 2017 11:28am
Can u let me......... My lady
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