It's time we put power in the hands of women, the world will be a better place: Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Nawazuddin Siddiqui has got a thing or two to say about working with women.

In an interview with Mumbai Mirror, the actor spoke about working with female directors; Nandita Das in Manto and Tannishtha Chatterjee in Roam Rome Mein, and how it's been life-changing.

"Debamitra Hassan, the director of another upcoming film, Motichoor Chaknachoor, is a lady too. And yes, working back-to-back with women directors has changed my perspective on the world, improved me not just as an actor but a human being too."

Nawazzudin explained, "Well, creatively, both men and women are equal, but the male gaze is very different from the female gaze. And I’ve come to realise that it’s because of men that duniya mein aaj itna hungama hai, so much of violence. It’s time we put power in the hands of women; the world will become a better place."

He believes that women should be handed the reins - not men. "After working with women, mera nazariya badal gaya hai. I’ve come to believe that today our hope lies in women."

Speaking on Manto, the actor admits to being nervous about the reviews that will pour in.

"Reviews se bahut dar lagta hai. I was very nervous when I went with it to Cannes and it was unexpected but encouraging when reviews in publications like The Hollywood Reporter analysed the film and my performance in great detail."

He added, "Here, we are more focused on entertainment. We want films to make us laugh and cry while they are looking for films that make them think. Here everyone is a critic. A film and all the hard work we put in it, is dismissed with two stars. Isi liye to dar lagta hai."

Manto releases on Sept 21.