Neha Dhupia on prejudiced gender roles

Neha Dhupia was in town for the Ariel India’s Dad’s #SharetheLoad campaign. On the sidelines of the event, she spoke on her connect with the city, her role model, upcoming movies and more

“Hyderabad is where I started my career. It’s a great opportunity to come here with my father, who by the way has fallen in love with the city,” says a smiling Neha Dhupia.The actress was in the city for Ariel India’s ‘Dad’s #SharetheLoad’ event that was held at Taj Deccan in Banjara Hills on Wednesday.

Neha spoke on stereotypical household roles and the importance of men’s role in it. “Today’s women have equal opportunities in every field. So, why not share the load of household chores like laundry?” she asks. Also present at the event was her father, Commander Pradip Singh Dhupia (retd), who is Neha’s role model.

Presenting a token of love to her father, she says, “How we are raised has a profound impact on our outlook towards the world. I am very proud to say that my parents always taught me the value of equality. Be it within household or outside, my dad always made sure to share the load.”

“Who I am today; my career and success is all deeply rooted in these values that they set forth,” she adds as she shares her excitement for the campaign. “Something as simple as doing the laundry can go a long way in bringing about balance within the home,” she says.

The film from Ariel India has received support of women across the globe as they continue the debate on equality in household with Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg calling it "one of the most powerful videos I’ve ever seen". On the sidelines, Neha spoke about her stint on Roadies X4. “Being a judge for the show was an amazing experience,” says the actress and reveals her desire to help the acid attack survivor, Nasreen who was on the show.

“She (Nasreen) is such an inspiration. She is strong willed and I love how she dresses the way she wants considering what she has been through. Rannvijay Singha, Karan Kundra and Sushil Kumar and I, we are also ready to help with her surgery,” she says.

Evidently, she has her hands full. However, she is an actress through and through. Ask her on regional cinema, the long-legged former Miss India says, “If I get a chance to work in Tollywood, then I would like to work with Mahesh Babu!” Neha has recently completed work for the movie ‘Santa Banta Pvt. Ltd’ along with Lisa Haydon, Vir Das, Boman Irani and Johnny Lever. The movie is directed by Akashdeep Sabir and is set for release.