Sunny Kaushal believes that manhood has no fixed definition and varies based on “the environment you grow up in, the friends you have, and the kind of work you do.” On International Men’s Day, he shared how his journey as an actor has made him more liberal in his understanding of masculinity.
Sunny Kaushal breaks down on toxic Masculinity and Patriarchy; says, “Men are victims too; It’s time to break the stigma”
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Sunny Kaushal reflected on how his perspective on masculinity has evolved over time. As a child, he believed that men shouldn’t cry, but he has since deconstructed that narrative. “I’ve gone through that process of deconstructing this narrative in my head and understanding the conditioning with which society comes from. It’s not anyone’s fault. When men are taught not to cry, it is telling them to suppress deeper emotions, to prepare them to face the world later in life. That’s what I also grew up with, but I learned how to use it well as it also teaches you to become more resilient,” he explained.
Sunny Kaushal shared his thoughts on generational trauma and stated, “Generational trauma kitna nikal ke aa raha hai. Now when guys talk, you realise that it’s been a long time coming. It just doesn’t affect you; it affects the next generation and the next. So, it’s better to take care of it now.”
He further reflected on patriarchy, added, “It forces you to think whether women are the only victims of patriarchy. It’s men as well. I’m not playing the victim card or pushing the narratives towards men. It’s a small percentage of men, but it is, nonetheless. It is finally time and stigmas against men’s mental health are being lifted and being accepted. Men are being encouraged to be more vulnerable, and it’s beautiful.”
Sunny Kaushal admitted that he hadn’t thought much about these issues until a turning point in his life. “Prior to that, I never gave it a thought. But the world seemed like a very negative place during that time. I was getting a bit more aggressive and ruder when I was talking. And all that seemed very normal to me, but people around you realise that. That’s when I had all these changes in my heart and my mind, where I had time to dive deep into the things that hold me back or affect me,” he shared.
Sunny Kaushal credited his family for shaping his views, sharing, “Dad comes from an old school background as he grew up in a very patriarchal society in Punjab. But when he came to Mumbai, he saw the diversity and acceptance and it broadened his perspective as well. We never grew up in a harsh patriarchal household.”
Sunny Kaushal opened up about his bond with his brother, Vicky Kaushal and said, “Me and Vicky are almost the same age and growing up, we would be at loggerheads, as two brothers are. The influence of Vicky as a man started much later in my life because when we grew up and became actors, that’s when I started seeing him from a totally different perspective. Before that, he was just my brother. I didn’t know how the world viewed him. It’s when the perspective shifted. That is when he actually became a man for me.”
Also Read : Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest 2024: Sunny Kaushal explains how OTT helped entertainment industry during pandemic; says, “It’s a more inclusive space for storytellers”
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