If you’re a 90s kid, you’d surely remember Shaktiman. He was one of the first Indian superheroes that we loved to watch as kids. In fact, his segment Chhoti Magar Moti Baatien was quite a hit among kids back then as it used to teach them positive things in the simplest ways. Now, it seems like netizens have taken it upon themselves to teach our very own Shaktiman aka Mukesh Khanna a lesson or two in equality and sexism.
Mukesh Khanna garnered a lot of attention in the media recently with his unfiltered and bold comments. He called The Kapil Sharma Show borderline vulgar, and gave justifications for his comment. His statement received support from certain fans and viewers who also believed that the show promotes ‘double meaning’ jokes. However, the veteran actor took it way too far when he made an extremely sexist comment about the #MeToo movement.
A video clip went viral where the actor was heard saying, “Women and men are made differently. Women’s responsibility is to take care of the house. I am sorry to say this, but the MeToo problem started after women started to work. Today, women aspire to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with men. People talk about women’s liberation, but let me tell you that this is where the problems begin. The first member to suffer is the child because he does not have a mother to take care of him. He watches ‘Saas Bhi Kabi Bahu’ with the caretaker. It all began when women aspired to be equal to men, but a man is a man, and a woman is a woman.”
Needless to say, once the video clip went viral, netizens unleashed their rage on the actor and his sexist statement. Celebrities like Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya and Sona Mohapatra also came forward to express their anger over the misogynistic remark. Divyanka called Khanna’s remark regressive and outdated whereas Sona pointed out that women get sexually assaulted within their homes as well!
How regressive & outdated is that! It's cringeworthy when people at respectable positions make such remarks.
Misogyny may be a result of a traumatic memory or past. That's the only benefit of doubt I can think of.
With due respect – I condemn this statement of Mukesh ji! https://t.co/E98DBaqOBX— Divyanka T Dahiya (@Divyanka_T) November 1, 2020
yea, cus men never ever molested or assaulted women & children inside homes according to this fellow who is best ignored. Tacky mandhbudhi.The sad truth is there are enough & more such regressive mindsets around us everywhere? We soldier on. Change is slow but is coming. https://t.co/wTnxGeIgoK
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) November 1, 2020
Twitterati took it to the micro-blogging site to condemn Khanna’s insensitive remark. A few users wrote that he is still living in his past glory and doing everything just to get attention.
Mukesh Khanna is the cautionary tale of how living in the past glory can be dangerous. His attention-seeking words reek of desperation .He wants to get validated by more misogynistic men & be hailed as a hero that he never was. Media needs to stop normalising such sexist men
— Rudrani Chattoraj (@rudrani_rudz) October 31, 2020
When you are no longer relevant yet crave for visibility #MukeshKhanna is what happens. pic.twitter.com/4kttHTs7kC
— Nadita Khushwaha (@KhushwahaNadita) October 31, 2020
Other users pointed out that because of people like Khanna, patriarchy and misandry exists. They straight away called the actor sexist and expressed their disappointment over his comments.
Patriarchy and misandry also began after men like you started to exist. #MukeshKhanna #sorryshaktiman pic.twitter.com/Xxt8f5Z6Fh
— Vidisha Goyal (@VidishaGoyal5) October 31, 2020
Neither Working women are a problem nor #MeToo . Actually the main problem is your sexist thinking sir #MukeshKhanna 😑.
Seriously disappointed by your views. https://t.co/f8x1yF5h94— Sleepdeprived⁷ (@savagewoooman) October 31, 2020
@Mukeshkhanna45 I'm sorry that you were my childhood admirer. All the 90s kids will now regret being unaware of your try side. Shame on your stereotypical thinking! #MukeshKhanna #MeToo pic.twitter.com/hFwR3lEC25
— Shivangi Choudhary (@Shiboo023) October 31, 2020
Men like him are the reason why feminism is important and needed. They see women as objects instead of actual human beings😡!!
#MukeshKhanna pic.twitter.com/Mn23zy0kdZ— Nayantara Ghosh (@AuthorNayantara) October 31, 2020
What?? Never expected from someone who was supposed to be our childhood hero.. #MukeshKhanna https://t.co/pfBIpys5Mv
— Sucharita (@Suchari90740616) October 31, 2020
After Twitter erupted in outrage, Khanna clarified his stance on social media. He said that his statements were taken out of proportion and context. He mentioned that he respects women and is not against them working. According to him, he was just trying to express his thoughts on why he believes the #MeToo movement started in the first place. He added that he is apologetic if he hurt anyone’s sentiment.
Sorry Shaktiman, but your sexist statements received the backlash that it deserved!
Feature Image: Instagram