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.

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- 

Part 5/5 I wanted to be a teacher, and an astronaut. I wanted to become a dancer. I wanted to plant trees and have kids. I was the girl who ordered coffee right before you at the Starbucks this morning. The girl that broke the traffic light last night at 10 pm. I was travelling in the auto next to yours, three nights ago. You tried to chat me up last week at the bar down the street. You also almost sold me a credit card this afternoon, but I was running around at work and I hung up before you could. I am the girl with the parents that live far away, in Amritsar. I am the girl who grew up with six siblings. And I am also her, who has nobody. I could be somebody’s sister, wife, daughter, mother — but what if I am not? Do I only not deserve to be raped and abused by the relationships I have? Is my relation to a man the only thing that defines me? What if I am not a daughter, a sister, a mother or a wife? What if I am just… me? Yes, I am that virgin who likes to make a statement with her attire. I am the shy girl, comfortable in her skin. I am dying to explore my sexuality and yes, I'm the girl thats been sexually abused in the past. I am not just that I am many more. I am studying for my exams. I am travelling back drunk at 3 am from a party. I am standing outside a bar, crying over a bad break up. I am working in a call centre, to support my younger brothers education. I have been in love. I have dreams and goals and ambitions. 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? Today, on the 69th year of our country’s Independence, this is all I ask of you. My freedom to breathe. To live. To be Me. To not be ashamed of who I am. Because I did not, do not, and never will deserve this. #TributeToWomen #Part5 #bethechangeyouwanttoseeintheworld #independenceday #india #feminism #educate #girls #TheSlowLife

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra (@redheadwayfarer) on Aug 18, 2016 at 11:14pm PDT

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)

Part 4/5 (This is a Tribute. Not My Story). So it happened. Was it easy? No. Did I suffer? You don’t know the inch of what I went through. You don’t even know what rape is. It isn’t physical. It wouldn’t be painful if it was. As women, we are capable of producing a child out of our vagina’s — a penis can’t hurt me. But it did. Because I shut down. My mind shut down, so did my body. I cried for weeks, months. I couldn’t look anybody in the eye. I couldn’t trust anyone. At first I didn’t talk about it. But when I did, my family suffered the consequences. The shame, the disgust. As though I had committed the crime. No one cared who he was. The neighbours didn’t care about my pain, they wondered what was I wearing? Nobody looked at me the same way again. My colleagues, my teachers, my friends. Overnight I went from being the girl with big dreams, to the girl that had been raped. Did you know there are more chances of adolescent girls being raped within the family, than there are of it happening outside? That's right. But you know what? I am sick & tired of being ‘That Girl’. Who will marry That Girl? Who will drop That Girl home? Yes! It fucking happened. Yes, it was traumatising. But my rape doesn’t fucking define who I am. I am beyond that. I am more than just the act. I am fucking wonderful. I love strangers bcos they don’t look at me as the girl who got raped. They look at me & they see my smile. They see my shining eyes. They see me flick my hair, they hear me laugh. They ask me about my dreams & goals in life. There is much more to me than just that one night. I am not ashamed of being a rape victim, I am not scared & on most days, I am not sad either. Why should I be? I’m not the one who did it! I am going to live my life to the fullest & enjoy every moment like it’s the last, bcos I deserve the best. And one day, I want to be able to walk into a crowded place & admit that I have been raped, without being judged or labeled. Without your pity. Yes. I am That Girl. I am That Girl, who still doesn't forget to smile. - On behalf of every girl who's ever been too scared to say the truth. You're stronger than you think. Full article on www.salonichopra.in

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra (@redheadwayfarer) on Aug 18, 2016 at 4:23am PDT

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)

Part 3/5 "All my life, they told me what to do. I was raised very well with all necessary etiquettes & requirements that a wife should have. I can cook, clean, stitch, feed, lift and provide pleasure, as and when needed. I am well aware, that I am not suppose to have a sexual drive of my own. That’s not what I am here for. But what if, that is what I want to discover right now? My own sexuality? Because I like the act of sex. There are still places where I could be killed for saying that out loud. Definitely be looked down upon. But why is it okay for me to have sex just to please him, but not want to do it when I am aroused or horny? What about my hormones? What if I am not just this body of mine? I don’t even know if it is men, or women that I desire. And I will never know, because I’ve always been petrified to find out. I am too scared to ask. I am shunned down from it. Who am I? What if all I want to do is travel the world, work in villages, help people, and explore my sexuality as I go? I don’t think I want to have kids, or to ever cook again. I do not want to lie down under him for the three and a half minutes that I do, I want to moan and scream. I want someone to explore not just my body, but my mind and my soul. I want to be touched, without being entered. I want to learn everything there is to learn, outside of what I know. 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. This is who I am. My culture, or my history will not change that. I am proud of where I belong, it's not the place, but the people that are bothered. If The Kama Sutra can emerge from our Culture and History, then why can’t I? Give me the freedom… to be me." - Courtesy every woman who has ever been scared of becoming herself. To read the entire Independence Day Article, dedicated to the wonderful women that are strong, but are scared of becoming - log onto www.salonichopra.in #bethechangeyouwishtosee #desire #selfawareness #theslowlife #wordporn #shootmode #awareness #photoarticle #women #beyou

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra (@redheadwayfarer) on Aug 17, 2016 at 8:11pm PDT

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)

Part 2/5 I hate pants. I hate bra’s too. I am so much more comfortable when I throw on a pair of shorts and a tshirt and walk out of my house to buy my groceries, instead of having to wear a bra, put on a pair of jeans — I hate it. 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. You want me to cover myself up all the time. Even though your mumma’s got the same things I do, but why is it that when you see me you get aroused without reason? Do you feel weird seeing me in my underwear? Would a bikini be okay for you? Why is it that you assume, when you see a girl like me, in clothes too small (but one’s she’s happy to be in) you automatically assume that I’m a slut. You assume that it’s okay to touch me, and tease me. You want to teach me a lesson. You call me characterless, a slut, or a whore. Firstly, no girl, even if she does do the things you disapprove of, is a slut or a whore. It’s her body and her choice. Secondly, my clothes don’t define me. I am an introvert. I am shy as fuck. I can’t start a conversation with a stranger at a party… that’s not me. And it bothers me, that you think I have no character, just because you can see my underpants. They cover my ass, and they sure as hell cover my vagina. The problem lies within you, not me. I do have character. I just may not be able to ever say this out loud to you — because that’s not who I am. I am not that bold, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t hold the right to be respected in this society. Courtesy, every girl out there that is shy, but loves her body too. Because you can be both, without being ashamed of either. To read the entire Independence Day article I've written, log onto www.salonichopra.in #independenceday #introvert #awareness #beyou #bethechangeyouwishtosee #selflove #wordporn #photoarticle #theslowlife

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra (@redheadwayfarer) on Aug 16, 2016 at 4:48am PDT

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)

Part 1/5 Here's a little tribute to all the women out there. Women that I adore, and am inspired by. Women that are unique and independent. All of you... You are strength. To read the photo article I've written, log onto salonichopra.in - link also available in my bio. Don't forget to share it!! Over the next few days, I'll try to upload all the different avatars of women from my post on Instagram. But I would really love it if you read that too. Happy Independence day! Excerpt "I am a Virgin. I may not look like one, so what? What’s a virgin girl suppose to look like anyway? Am I not suppose to dye my hair, just because I’m a virgin? Should I not open my legs, or smoke a Cigarette? Sure, smoking is injurious to your health, but don’t say it like it’s injurious to only “women’s health”. 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 (which is none of your business), just because of the way I look. So I like making a fucking loud statement, what has sex got to do with it? Yeah I’m a virgin, and maybe I will lose my virginity tomorrow, or maybe I won’t for the next 5 years. But i’ll dress the way I like, and I don’t give you the right to judge me for it." #IndependenceDay #wordporn #women #independence #inspired #motivate #bethechangeyouwishtosee #love #photoarticle #educate #awareness

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra (@redheadwayfarer) on Aug 15, 2016 at 10:59am PDT

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. Girls shouldn't flaunt their bra. Haven't you heard? The fight is much bigger than just for our bodies. They want you to fight for education, and fight for your right to be born, and fight to be an engineer & to be on the moon - but don't talk about your boobs. Don't make feminism "vulgar" my child. Fight for your right to live - they don't consider the freedom of your body a real fight. Now that's just trivial. That's you being too modern. Thats you just screaming out nakedness and sex. That's losing your culture. Shame on you, how could you forget? Breast feeding your baby in public is a disrespect to your culture. Accepting you have breasts & bra's cover them - is disrespect to your culture. We, in our respected beliefs, don't like to accept that our men are horny. Actually yes, they are horny. But don't you know that it's your fault?! It's your fault that they're horny. You - are making them horny. How dare you?! You, being a woman must pay for it. But that's okay. Smile. Behave like a girl should, my love. Cross those legs. Open them only when told to, or forced to. Don't for a second think you have the right to wear what you want, or remove what you do not want. You are a sexual object. You are to fight for the right to be well educated, but never speak a word of your body. Don't be vulgar, darling. You are a goddess. You are a pure, holy, asset to this society. What without you, would the men fuck? Where without you, would they get nurturing from? So flick that hair of yours, put on your best smile, and sit there like a goddess, with respect & dignity, while they rape your soul. You're a girl, my darling. You weren't born one - but you became it for sure. #beingawoman #forthesarcasm #sarcasm #beyou #feminism #innervoice #women #bethechangeyouwishtoseeinthisworld #speakup #words #TheSlowLife photo courtesy @zainaliphotography

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra (@redheadwayfarer) on Jul 21, 2016 at 7:00am PDT

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)

Don't give me a pen & paper. Give me a hand to hold & ground beneath my feet. Don't sweep me off with words, hold me instead when I fall. Don't kiss me all day, but hug me tight when I'm trying my hardest to leave. Don't promise forever, I'm happier with today. Don't ask me to bind you down with a contract. Don't expect that to save us, or assure us. Expect me to fall in love with you, every single day, without being told to. Without reasoning. Without law. But with instinct. With the need to wake up next to you every morning. With desire. Its not that I can't settle down. I'm not always on the run. I'm not scared. I'm just a thinker. I ask questions. I love love. What's in my heart matters more than what's in court. I'm going to have a love story that goes down in history. Because I can handle it. I can handle love. And pain. And happiness. I'm capable of crossing bridges & 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. I enjoy the thrill. The excitement. The anxiety of waking up every morning, & wondering if we're still in love. Having to try. Knowing - love is all that's holding us together. Not spoken vows, not legalities, not the social jazz. Just love. And one day, when I look at my daughter & son - I want to be able to raise them knowing they can follow their heart. In a world full of people telling them how to live & what to be.. I want them to learn from me, they can be, whatever it is that sets them free. I want them to grow into adults, wanting a marriage - not a wedding. To cherish life. And never take people for granted. I want them to feel with all that they have. To cry like they've never cried before, to love with all their heart & orgasm with their whole body. I want to teach them to live & not just breath... I - want to live. I want to be the change I wish to see. Sincerely, Every girl out there that deep down inside believes she's meant for something a little more. #RunAwayBride

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra (@redheadwayfarer) on Jul 4, 2016 at 10:11am PDT

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)

"Life is like a Bra..." And women need to be more open about their sexuality. Whichever absurd person decided that it would be okay for a man to roam around shirtless, in his boxers, but girls can't even be seen in a Bra - surely did a hell lot of damage to our society. Did you know there are still people who have a problem with a girls Bra Strap showing?! The strap?!?!?! People that don't like it when the shape of your bra is visible from the top you're wearing. I've been around a few such diseased people. And you can't tell that they're affected by this narrow minded disease when you first meet them. They look normal. They make you feel wonderful at the start. They're the ones that follow bold models on Instagram & keep porn on their phones. They come across as extremely open minded. They'll talk to you about feminism and global warming. And trust me, it's usually that "Bra Strap" that arouses them in the first place - and then BAM! You're being told its "just for them to see". You should dress more "appropriately" in public. If you meet these diseased people, you could A. Send them to a Doctor, or B. Ask them to go fuck themselves. I honestly don't see what the problem with lingerie is? I wear it. Yes. Am I suppose to act like I'm NOT wearing it by hiding it completely? It's a piece of clothing that covers my breasts. Just like a skirt covers my legs. Or sleeves cover my shoulders. What's the big damn deal? The term breasts? Is it a girls Boobs that make this world uncomfortable? Are men THAT weak? I mean trust me, it's not like our boobs are holy or sacred. They're just.... A part of the body. Stop asking women to feel uncomfortable about it. Our breasts are not our "respect and dignity". Men flaunt their chests, while girls won't even hold a Bra in their hand publicly. Well... I will. Because I'm not ashamed of it. I have nothing to hide. Lingerie is not something that needs to be hidden. In fact, it's quite pretty, isn't it? 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. Free the god damn mind. #FreeTheNipple @freethenipple

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra (@redheadwayfarer) on Jun 25, 2016 at 12:42am PDT

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)

Yes. My mother is so cool that she'd put the tiny 2.5 year old me in bikini's for photo shoots. A normal person would think bikinis are for boobs - but not my mom. She's too cool for that. She's a rebel. She couldn't care less what the world thinks! As embarrassed as I am of sharing this photograph - I am 10 times more proud of the way she's raised me. She taught me to take no shit from nobody. Voice my opinions. Speak up for my rights. Question things in order to understand them instead of just following the Hurd. And most importantly, she taught me to love my body just the way it is. What I wear does not define who I am - my actions do. If you judge me for my clothes, well I couldn't possibly give a fuck, but I will always know the difference between good and bad, because the religion I was taught to follow was humanity. Humanity first. Always. Before we love the god we've never seen, we must first learn to love the god within us. We must first be so United, so much in love with each other's souls, that peace and happiness will find its way to us on its own. Do I pray? Maybe I do. But maybe I don't pray the way you do. My prayer is my love for others. When I wish someone well, when I show gratitude, when I consciously choose to see the good in people instead of the bad & think 10 times before hurting someone - I am Praying. Of course she would disagree to some of the things I say she taught, in fact she would disapprove of some things - specially my crassness & choice of language at times - but the rest is all thanks to her. If I could only be half of her one day, I think I too could change the world in some way. PS: I'm sure that would still fit me :P #ImHilarious #OneWeekToGo #comingsoon #bestmomever #littlesaloni #childhood #throwback #2years #conditioning #monday #awareness #education #kids #evolve #family #themom #love #girlsontop #smallsaloni

A photo posted by Saloni Chopra (@redheadwayfarer) on Apr 25, 2016 at 7:52am PDT

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

Saloni Chopra (Via Instagram)