Sitar player Anoushka Shankar Dec. 7 blamed Bollywood for objectifying women instead of creating awareness about gender sensitization. “We need male role models for young boys to look up to, not Bollywood stars who are said to have beaten their girlfriends and yet continue to be worshipped by the masses,” she said while speaking about “Changing Mindsets” at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2013.

 

“Bollywood ... my favorite topic ... if it could spare a little time to change the mindset of billions of people who give them lifelong attention,” she said during a discussion where actor-turned-politicians Smriti Irani and Khushbu Sunder too participated. Shankar, who had revealed that she was molested as a child, said India doesn’t respect its women. Bollywood was busy making money “by objectifying women,” the daughter of late musician Ravi Shankar said.