Kalki Koechlin loves being a feminist but is threatened by the thought that India has come to believe in only a very ‘militant idea’ of the concept. While mainstream media chooses to focus on her sartorial choices, her divorce, or an imagined rivalry with another female actor, we found inspiration in many things that Kalki has said and done in all these years of being in the spotlight.

Kalki said, “This term ‘feminism’ has been bastardised to the point where the average girl doesn’t want to be associated with it. But it’s not what feminism stands for that’s the problem – it’s the damn stigma that’s synonymous with it.”

In a heart-rending performance at India Today Conclave stage, actress Kalki Koechlin made a striking blow to the patriarchy that is hampering the progress of women for thousands of years.

Watch Kalki masterclass on feminism here:

There aren’t many role models we look up to in our film industry, but because of her strong opinions on pressing social matters and how she leverages her position to fight the good fight – Kalki earns our love and respect.

She also told us in a video with AIB why we need feminism: