Only If Indian TV Was Half As Feminist As This Budding Actress

Saloni Chopra’s bold take on feminism is a rare spark in the world of Indian television. (Photo courtesy: Instagram/@redheadwayfarer)

While our films and TV shows tread rather carefully around bold, feminist themes, a budding TV actress named Saloni Chopra has been speaking up against comfortable stereotypes with some fearless poratraits and Instagram posts.

Chopra plays one of the leading ladies on MTV’s popular youth show Girls On Top. The show itself breaks the mould in terms of addressing female sexuality, vulnerability, challenges and courage.

Saloni’s daring posts speak up on behalf of every woman and are proudly feminist. Check them out below- 

I am an individual. I am strong. I am every girl that has ever been touched, teased, slapped, abused or raped. I am also every girl that is scared of being alone on the streets, because I am scared of being objectified. I am a goddess, you say. Then why am I so scared of your presence around me? Why am I not safe? Why am I not...independent?

Saloni Chopra (Via Instagram)

I love strangers because they look at me as the girl who got raped. They look at me & they seem my smile. They ask me about my dreams and goals in life. There is so much more to me than just that one night. 

Saloni Chopra (Via Instagram)

I want someone to explore not just my body, but my mind and soul. I want to be touched, without being entered. I don’t want to be his trophy, or his slave. I want to be me. And I don’t want to be ashamed of telling you that I want to have orgasms. 

Saloni Chopra (Via Instagram)

I hate pants. I hate bras too. I am so much more comfortable when I throw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, and walk out of my house to buy my groceries. I like my body just the way it is, I’m more than comfortable in it. But clearly, you have a problem with my comfort. 

Saloni Chopra (Via Instagram)

I am a virgin. I may not look like one, so what? What’s a virgin girl supposed to look like anyway? Am I not supposed to dye my hair? Should I not open my legs, or smoke a cigarette? I am sick and tired of being judged. You see me walking by and you think I’m the kind of girl that’ll flirt with you, or I’m high on drugs, or that I’m a lesbian, just because of the way I look. 

Saloni Chopra (Via Instagram)

You’re a girl, and girls shouldn’t expose their bodies in public. Your body is a temple, a raided, broken into temple, owned by everybody but you...owned by people that know the religion of your body better than you do. 

Saloni Chopra (Via Instagram)

I’m capable of crossing bridges and climbing mountains, but I can’t sit across you at a dining table every night. I don’t want to be your wife. I want to be your lover, your partner, your dirty slut. But I’ll look after you like a mother. I want to be your best friend. I’ll never be your better half, you are whole. So am I. 

Saloni Chopra (Via Instagram)

The term breasts...is it a girl’s boobs that make this world uncomfortable? Are men that weak? Our breasts are not our ‘respect and dignity’. Men flaunt their chests while girls won’t even hold a bra in their hand publicly. I’m tired of women themselves constantly feeling like they’ve to be ashamed of everything. Pads, tampons, lingerie, our body, our desires, sex. Let’s put an end to that. 

Saloni Chopra (Via Instagram)

What I wear does not define who I am- my actions do. 

Saloni Chopra (Via Instagram)