Why do celebrities cringe when they hear the word “feminist”? In a recent interview, Nora Fatehi declared that “feminism ‘fucked up our society completely.” In an interview with Ranveer Allahbadia for his podcast, the actor-dancer added that feminism has “brainwashed” a large number of men. She is not the only famous person who believes that feminism is a pejorative term.

Several celebrities have declared that they are not feminists, including Salma Hayek, Madhuri Dixit, Anushka Sharma, Katrina Kaif, and Kareena Kapoor. Last year, a Reddit post shared some of their quotes on feminism with the caption, “When the leading ladies of Bollywood denounced feminism.” Some Hollywood celebs’ views on feminism are also murky.

When the leading ladies of Bollywood denounced feminism
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Madhuri Dixit

Madhuri Dixit: ‘I don’t think I’m a feminist’.”I don’t think I’m a feminist. I am independent and strong, which is what women should be like,” Madhuri stated at a press conference in 2013 at the 14th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA). We wonder what definition of feminism leaves those things out.

Anushka Sharma

“I do not consider myself a feminist. I do not believe that by doing female-oriented films and depicting women fighting the system, we can change the system. Or by omitting item songs, we can change mindsets,” the actor said at the India Today conclave in 2013.

Katrina Kaif

“People say I am not open, but is being open only talking about your relationships? I don’t think I am a feminist but I don’t think an actress should be made to speak about the men in her life when there is so much more to her and what she has achieved. We need to respect that,” the actor told Vogue India in a 2015 interview.

Alia Bhatt

The actor, in a 2016 interview, told Cosmopolitan India, “I don’t think most people understand what a feminist means. To be honest, I wouldn’t call myself a feminist, either.”

Kareena Kapoor

At a press conference for her female-oriented movie, ‘Veere Di Wedding’ in 2018, the actor said, “I believe in equality. I wouldn’t say I am a feminist; I would say I am a woman, and above all, I am a human being. I am also as proud to be known as Saif Ali Khan’s wife as I am to be Kareena Kapoor. So that is just the way I am.” Huh?

Parineeti Chopra

At an event in 2015, the actor stated, “I am very often confused about being a feminist, but I am not. I am not. Coming into Bollywood, I think it has made me stronger and more responsible.”