In a matriarchal society, I would be a ‘meninist’: Kalki

Actor Kalki Koechlin says she wants equal rights for men and women and if the society was matriarchal, she would have been a “meninist”. The 32-year-old Margarita with a Straw star said definition of feminism is misinterpreted at times and she thinks there is a need to make a video defining the term correctly.

“I think we need to make a nice simple video defining feminism. Everyone is a feminist. If you are not a feminist you are a bad human being. Being a feminist means asking for equality. But people take it in other way at times. Anyone, who believes men and women are equal, is a feminist. If we would have been living in a matriarchal society I would be a meninist fighting for equal rights of men,” Kalki said in an interview.

The actor, who is quite active on social media and uses it to promote the issue of gender equality, praised the platform for being a space to voice opinions.

“Social media is great. I find it very useful. It allows the freedom to give your opinion and cuts away the middle man. You can really say what you want to say, but at the same time there are people, who right a lot of bad stuff on it. I find it useful to promote my theater, stay connected to my fans. But, when I am shooting a film I go off the social media,” she said.

Kalki, said she is not getting offers for typical commercial movies. “During That Girl in Yellow Boots I was nervous. I was not that prepared. Probably now I am a better actor than I was at that time. This time, we (Naseeruddin) had a really good chemistry. We are good friends. We keep discussing theater. He wants to direct me on stage but nothing solid is there,” she said.

Praising the 66-year-old actor, Kalki said working with him is easier because of his command over his art.  Konkona Sen Sharma may have impressed the audience with her performances but Kalki Koechlin says the actress is also a fantastic director with great understanding of the craft.

The Ek Thi Daayan star is all set with her directorial debut A Death in the Gunj. “Konkona is a very smart, self assured director. She knows exactly what she wants from the artists and is very clear in her vision. That clarity also helps the actors to perform well,” said Kalki.

A Death in the Gunj is a coming-of-age story which traces the journey of five individuals who are on a holiday. The Waiting actress plays an Anglo-Indian in the movie and says she couldn’t believe Konkona was directing for the first time because of her clarity and insight into the craft.

“It was really an amazing experience to be directed by her. I couldn’t believe it was her first time as a director. I think it is because she has grown up in a film family which has given her a deep insight of the craft.” said Kalki.