Gul Panag — who was last seen playing a deglamourised character in Navdeep Singh’s Manorama — has a thing or two to say about men and what men want. We hear her out...

Is male chauvinism still a factor for relationships breaking up?

It could be for some. What women consider chauvinism is men just being men. I feel that if it’s not serious, it should just be brushed off casually.

Some men claim that their women provoke them or nag them too much...

I think women and men are built differently and thus what may be “nagging” from the point of view of a man may just be “reminding” from the woman’s end. Having said that, I can see where a man probably comes from.

If a man raises his hand on you and blames it on a rush of rage, would you excuse him?

This is a tricky one. I too have had the urge to raise my hand on a few occasions, but restrained myself, and I can see how someone may be in the same situation. In principle, I am opposed to any form of physical abuse, but whether it can be excused is very, very subjective.

What if your man reduces you to tears in public?

I doubt I will have had such a lapse in judgment to have chosen to be with someone like that in the first place!

Do men have a tendency to ask women about their past?

I think both men and women have a certain degree of curiosity vis-à-vis each other’s past; I guess it’s only natural.

Do you think it is a good idea for a woman to tell her man about her past?

Not unless it has a special relevance in her life.

When did you become aware of the male gaze?

When I was 12 or 13.

How would you say today’s man view a successful woman?

I would like to believe, in the same light as they would view any other successful man.

Do men get intimidated by you?

Yes, particularly less cerebrally evolved ones; and of course those who can’t keep up with me while running!

Have attitudes towards working women improved?

In metropolitan cities, yes, particularly in Mumbai, Bangalore, etc. But the rest of the country still has a long way to go.

Have you faced problems with your odd hours of work?

Not that I’ve ever noticed.

As an actress do you feel that your boyfriend would curb your freedom of choice of clothes?

Not unless I would do the same when he goes to work!

What if your man disapproves of a revealing outfit that you are wearing on screen?

If I am really required to wear it, I don’t think he would have any issue. I am after all doing my job!

Most Hindi films either deify women or denigrate them. Why are there such few real women in our films?

Because that’s the way the average male categorises women. Also, very few women are actually supportive of women in cinema or women-based films. Think about it, since women are 50% of the population, women based-films should do equally well. But that doesn’t happen because most women are happy to go and watch a film their male partners would want to watch. And women are still not independent enough (financially or emotionally) to do things they really like.

Do you think in some films at least Bollywood women have finally come of age?

I think that’s tough to say. There are always women who are ahead of their time, and they are usually the exception, whether in cinema, politics or any other field; and that applies to all societies and countries.

In Dor, the protagonist went to the other end of the country for her man. Do you think a man would do the same for a woman?

My man definitely would.

Do you think that all platonic relationships carry the possibility of physical love?

Yes. After all, we are essentially animals.

Does a man constantly seek a woman’s approval? Or vice versa?

I think if one is in a good relationship, it’s only natural.

Dipika Bajpai (Bollywood News Service)