TMF: Digangana Suryavanshi Admits To Enjoying The Privileges Of Being An Only Child
Being an only child, I’ve often been tagged as a pampered kid by my friends. Not that I think it is untrue, but being one also comes with its set of troubles, where you get so much freedom at your home, that you don’t ever get ready to face the brutal ideologies of the society. I mean, I remember telling my mother lying on the bed, “I will never be able to understand a man who isn’t a feminist because I’ve always seen a true feminist in my dad.” And while this definitely makes future decisions easier, where you know you don’t need to clean some random person’s shit, it also makes it difficult to even understand a belief that says otherwise.
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And you know what? I resonated with actress Digangana Suryavanshi when she joined host–Siddhaarth Aalambayan in the latest episode of Hauterrfly’s The Male Feminist. The actress who rose to fame through her projects in Indian television shows, like–Veer Ki Ardaas Veera, sat down to talk about her early life, growing up as an only child and views on feminism. Revealing her life as an only child, the actress shared her how her childhood was extremely pampered. She added, “To be very frank, I never accepted that I was a kid. I mean in my head, I was always a grown-up. Which is why I would always want to be a part of every conversation or discussion.” Adding to which she mentioned how her parents would also add her to most conversations and make sure to take her opinion.
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Much like any only child, like myself, Digangana admits to not participating in any household chores while growing up. Elaborating on this she mentioned how during summer holidays, whenever her cousins would come over, and their mothers would always suggest or ask them to at least help with something, even if it is putting their cups back in the sink or anything. Even if they were boys, they were instructed to wipe the table. But in her case, it was always the opposite. She would finish her milk and still sit with the cup, hoping someone would come to pick it up. She further said, “Because of this, my extended family would make fun of me, that I don’t do anything.” Well, this is exactly what happened to me as well.
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Interestingly, Digangana also mentioned how her father would make sure to listen to her opinions, answer all her questions and then leave for work, which was a healthy environment at home where she grew up in. And while everyone around her would call it a privilege, it is something she realised very late in her life. Talking about her professional life as well, Digangana mentioned how her parents never spoke on behalf of her. She added, “I started acting very early in my life. But my parents never took any call on my behalf. And my dad would always sit me down and ask what I wanted to do. This also pushed me to always have an opinion.”
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Also Read: The Male Feminist: “Men And Women Should Not Conflict But Complement Each Other,” Says Digangana Suryavanshi
She also explained how roles were never divided in her family on the basis of gender. So, until 12 years, she never had an idea that there is a difference in mindset between girls and boys. She adds, “At home, my dad never sat me down and explained that I am the guy of the house, and your mom is a girl. Of course, there are biological differences but mentally there was never a line drawn between gender at my home.” But it definitely shifted later in school for her, when she understood how society draws the line between men and women.
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Well, I definitely relate with Digangana. I mean, if every home creates this healthy environment for both girls and boys, I am sure there will not be a sign of conflict between the two genders. Right?
Watch the full episode here:
TMF: Digangana Suryavanshi Feels Female Friendships Are “Organic”, Does Not Understand “Catfights”
