The Actresses Roundtable of 2018, moderated by film critic Rajeev Masand featured the leading ladies of Bollywood, including Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma, Alia Bhatt, Tapsee Pannu, Tabu and Rani Mukerji.
During the interaction, the topic of the #MeToo movement came up. Commenting on what has changed in the wake of the movement, Anushka said that it has made people more introspective. "There should be a little sense of fear. Your workplace has to be the second sacred place for you. After your home your work place is the place where you should feel the safest and if you're not feeling that way then that's the worst world to be living in," Anushka said.
Following that Rani commented, "I think as a woman you have to be that powerful within yourself, you have to believe that you're so powerful that if you ever come into a situation like that you have the courage to say 'back off.' I think you have to have the courage to be able to protect yourself."
After listening to Rani's comment, Deepika went on to say, "I don't think everyone is constructed with that sort of DNA." Rani further added that martial arts and self-defence should be made compulsory in schools, adding that "you have to take the responsibility of your ownself."
"But why to even bring it to the point where girls should learn self-defence," Deepika countered.
However, Rani's comments on #MeToo didn't go well with the viewers. The actress was massively criticised social media.
Some of the comments are:
#RaniMukerji was never relevant enough to be cancelled but seeing what she had to say abt #Metoo movement is truly appalling. The woman who has the biggest production house behind her rich entitled ass saying women should behave themselves? You've got to be kidding me!!!- @srkkajol_
Ok. So you can't tell hundreds of mothers that they shouldn't bring up misogynistic sons but you want to tell millions of girls out there to compulsorily learn martial arts and defend themselves? This is nothing but victim shaming and blaming.
Shame on you, Rani Mukerji!- Sumeet Kaur@Sumeetkaur102
I'm cringing my soul out! Rani's take on #Metoo is the worst thing I have ever heard, she's basically saying that the victims should change but not the other way around. Annoying as fuck that she didn't let Anu & Deepika talk... #RaniMukerji- @bollypardesi
Rani Mukherjee's views on #MeToo are so bloody problematic!
Please ask her how a 4-month-old baby girl is gonna kick her rapist between his legs?? #ActressesRoundtable- Nilam K. Patel@nilamkpatel