Bollywood has been left reeling as accusations of sexual assault have rocked the film industry recently.
And Farhan Akhtar has praised the #MeToo movement for encouraging women to speak out about their own experiences.
Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, the 44-year-old is happy the fear of God is finally being put into potential offenders.
What is very encouraging right now is that women are not feeling afraid to speak up about whats going on with them, and what has been going on for a while, the Bhaag Milkha Bhaag actor told us.
What has happened now is going to put the fear of God into many people.
Weve now seen there are going to be a couple of careers that will be over. Im sure more will reveal itself, I really dont think this was the lot, and there will be more. Its about time that this happened.
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Farhan – who is serving as an advocate for UN Womens HeForShe campaign – also revealed speaking to people and listening to their own stories, left him in a difficult position.
Its difficult being a man in the midst of this, because as a man, you can encourage people to speak up, but you cant speak up for them, he continued. You cant out someone, somebody has to find that strength because he or she has to then live with that story, share it every time someone asks. Do they want to go through that? Who knows.
Its their decision. The fact is people are coming out, people are supporting them, and through them, encouraging more people to find the strength to be able to speak like they have. I hope more women speak up, and if there are more offenders, those names come out.
You cant do it for them. There are things you know, and you just hope the person who said it to you will find the strength, and come out and say what they have to.
He also explained the movement should help us become more vigilant with others, not just in situations on movie and TV sets, and in the music industry, but as a whole.
A person who you considered a friend is suddenly being named and you had no concept that he could ever behave in this manner, he said. It could be anyone, and we as people need to be a lot more vigilant.
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If you hear a story, maybe follow up as to why its being said, speak to that person and ask them. You never really stop to think about it, you just question why you should get involved.
You shouldnt have an environment where someone is worried about what it going to happen to them, not with their career but just personally. Its just terrible, when you stop to think about
it, its horrendous.
You hear stories, you dont know how much is true, but what this has exposed is there is a serious problem, its not just one section, its across the board.
Farhan has had a busy few months – not only with his work helping UN Women, but also with his professional career.
Here it is… my first step into a new world of expression in the form of an international album, Echoes. Hope you like it ..
You can pre-order your copy now. https://t.co/87HRNdicY2
Links to limited edition vinyl and cd booklet coming soon.— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) September 11, 2018
The actor is named as Executive Producer of new Amazon Prime original series Mirzapur, which is out on 16 November, and focuses on drugs, guns and the politics of power in India.
Basically our dream kind of series.
As well as that, he is also gearing up to release his first ever English-language album, Echoes, which will be out next January.
Speaking about his new music – which he has compared to poetry – he confessed he has been writing and perfecting it for almost two years.
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I felt the need to do something more with it, and share it with the world, he explained. Its interesting because, for years people asked if I write poetry. I told them I didnt feel ready to share it with anyone, Now I am, they ask why I didnt share it earlier.
I just felt the time was right for me to explore that side of creativity that I enjoy so much. Most of the songwriting is [personal poetry], its really not singing at you, its hoping to speak with you, and just share things that are going on inside.
Hopefully some of it will resonate with you and you can relate to it.
Echoes is available to pre-order now, and released in January 2019.
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