Acclaimed actor Adil Hussain has spoken about cinema’s influence on society, criticising the way women are often portrayed as objects of desire rather than as complete human beings. The actor, who stars alongside Parineeti Chopra in Netflix’s Reporting Live, believes society has failed to teach men how to respect women. During an interaction with Mid-Day, Hussain also discussed artistic responsibility, corruption and why he sees his choice of hard-hitting roles as a way of registering protest.
Adil Hussain on actors being apolitical and using cinema to protest
The central theme of Reporting Live revolves around standing up against corruption and questioning a system that seeks to suppress dissent. Asked whether actors should remain apolitical, Hussain recalled seeking clarity from his acting teacher about his own role as an artist.“Am I an activist? No. I practice art and use it to express myself in the best possible way. Reporting Live is my way of registering protest, not going to the street. I cannot take a placard. That’s not my job,” he said.Hussain also emphasised that accountability cannot rest solely with politicians or a particular section of society. According to him, individuals must acknowledge their own part in the problems they criticise.“We are all part of it. While pointing fingers at them, I must also point a tiny finger towards myself,” he added.
Adil Hussain says cinema has contributed to the objectification of women
In Netflix’s ‘Reporting Live’, Parineeti Chopra plays a journalist whose safety is threatened when she comes close to exposing corruption. Discussing the wider concerns surrounding women’s safety, Hussain said society had failed to teach men to respect women, with both family environments and popular cinema playing a role in shaping attitudes.“They have seen how women are treated in their own house, and films don’t help at all. We have only fed them trash. Women are being shown as objects of desire and not as wholesome human beings,” he said.The actor’s remarks point to the responsibility he believes filmmakers share in shaping perceptions of women. Rather than presenting women solely through the lens of desire, he argued, cinema should acknowledge their individuality and humanity.
Adil Hussain on women’s safety in Mumbai: ‘We haven’t taught them better’
Hussain also spoke about behaviour he has witnessed in Mumbai, a city often perceived as comparatively safer than other Indian cities. He said that even in familiar public spaces, women can experience uncomfortable attention.“I have seen people looking at my wife, white-skinned women friends from abroad, and I have empathy for those who do this because we haven’t taught them better,” he said.Recounting a recent incident, Hussain said he had been at Kala Ghoda Cafe with the leading lady of a film he is currently shooting when a similar situation occurred. He said he chose not to tell her about it at the time.“Recently, I was at the Kala Ghoda Cafe with the leading lady of a film I am shooting, and I didn’t tell her, but it happened there too,” he added.Despite his concerns, Hussain expressed hope that attitudes would change over time. “I hope it gets better. I’m optimistic. Evolution is a very slow process,” he said.
Adil Hussain’s current work slate
Hussain stars alongside Parineeti Chopra in Netflix’s ‘Reporting Live’, a story that examines corruption, journalism and the risks faced by those who challenge powerful systems. The actor was also seen as Mark Abraham in ‘Musafir Cafe’ and in ‘Operation Safed Sagar as Air Marshal Vinod Patney.