In a recent interview, Saba Azad, girlfriend of Hrithik Roshan, spoke out against trolls for their sexist remarks, including claims that she doesn’t need to work simply because she is dating the ‘War’ star. Saba, an actress, theatre director, and musician, is also part of the electro-funk duo Madboy/Mink. She made her Bollywood debut with the 2008 indie film Dil Kabaddi. Since going public about her relationship with Hrithik, however, she has faced significant negativity, with trolls now suggesting that her career is unnecessary because of her superstar partner.
Saba Azad Claps Back at Sexist Trolls
Saba Azad has always been fearless when it comes to responding to trolls. Whether it’s shutting down remarks about her relationship or sarcastically addressing suggestions that she no longer needs to work because she’s Hrithik Roshan’s girlfriend, Saba has never let such comments slide. In a recent chat with News18 Showsha, the actress spoke out about these very trolls and highlighted the “sheer sexism” behind their words.
During the interview, Saba Azad expressed that the moment a woman’s name gets associated with a man, her personal identity often gets overshadowed. She described this as a tragic reality, deeply ingrained in the sexist mindset of people who consider themselves progressive. The actress stated: “The moment you’re standing next to a man, your identity will get diluted no matter what. It’s tragic, and it’s a deep-seated sexism that most people have, even the most progressive ones. We all need to put food on our table. What do you think is happening here?”
In the same conversation, Saba opened up about the criticism and ridicule she has endured. She also reflected on Soni Razdan’s recent comment about being defined primarily as Mahesh Bhatt’s wife, despite her own impressive career. Saba added that, even after accomplishing remarkable work in her field, she is often recognised only as the director’s wife—a notion she finds utterly baffling. She stated:
“It’s ennui to me because Soni is an absolute legend. Look at her repertoire of films! She has done Mandi, Daddy, and Party. The films that she has done are incredible. She was right in the thick of it when the new wave of Indian cinema was going on. To me, it’s just bizarre that she wouldn’t be recognised as an entity of her own.”
Saba Azad Shares Thoughts on the Rise of Women-Led Films in Entertainment
Saba further highlighted that this sexism extends beyond social media and public opinion—it’s also reflected in the hesitation producers often show when investing in films led by female actors, as such projects are quickly labeled “niche cinema.” She noted that, although progress is being made, there remains a reluctance to embrace stories centered on women. She also pointed out the inadequate hygiene and facilities on film sets, another consequence of this systemic bias, saying:
“It’s no longer a mainstream film. It’s not a mainstream story that you can tell the entire country. The perception is that oh, yeh toh left of centre log dekhenge. The change is happening much too late and much too slowly. And then the other things come… like the lack of proper washrooms for women on a set. It happens all the time.”