Girls and women often struggle for equal standing in society and within their own families. However, when this bias extends to the affluent and influential, especially celebrities with massive fan followings, it becomes a cause for concern.
Recently, Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi sparked controversy with his remarks expressing a desire for a grandson to carry forward his legacy. Speaking at a film event in Hyderabad, Chiranjeevi shared, “When I’m at home, it doesn’t feel like I’m surrounded by my granddaughters; it feels like I’m a ladies’ hostel warden, surrounded by women everywhere. I keep wishing and telling (Ram) Charan, at least this time, have a boy so that our legacy continues, but his daughter is the apple of his eye… I’m scared that he might again have a girl.”
These comments have been widely perceived as sexist and have drawn sharp criticism on social media. While his male fans may eventually downplay the remarks, the question remains: When celebrities with such immense influence make such statements, do they not perpetuate the flawed mindset of those biased against women?
The Obsession with Sons
Across cultures, the bias against daughters is deeply tied to the perceived inferior status of women in the social hierarchy. The belief that sons are the primary providers of financial support for their parents and the bearers of family legacy is entrenched in societies worldwide, particularly in countries like India and China with their ancient civilizations.
A 2020 UN report cited by the Pew Research Center estimates that globally, 142.6 million females went “missing” between 1970 and 2020 due to sex-selective abortions or neglect. China (51%) and India (32%) accounted for the majority of these “missing” females. (“Missing” females refer to the estimated number of females who would exist today if not for sex-selective practices or mistreatment.)
When a superstar expresses a desire for a grandson, it sends a troubling message to society. Lakshmi Krishnan, president of the Society for the Promotion of Women and Child Welfare in Delhi, says, “When a celebrity makes a controversial statement, it does have an impact on the audience, especially when efforts are being made to bridge the gender gap and achieve gender equality.”
Chiranjeevi has a massive fan base among Telugu movie enthusiasts. Telugu cinema caters to over 100 million people in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with a broader reach across India through dubbed versions. Many of these films glorify blatant sexism, reducing female leads to ornamental roles with little substance or agency.
Even in the superhit film Bahubali, the strong female protagonist, Sivagami, who rules the mythical kingdom of Mahishmati in the absence of a male heir, refuses to sit on the king’s throne while managing all administrative affairs. The film emphasizes the importance of male lineage, reflecting real-life biases.
Chiranjeevi’s words merely echo what is deeply ingrained in our collective psyche.
A Long Way to Go
The obsession with male children in India is well-documented. Data from the 2022 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) shows that Indian families overwhelmingly prefer sons over daughters, with nearly 80% of respondents stating they wanted at least one son in their lifetime.
India largely practices patrilineality, a system where family names and property are passed down through sons. The culture of patrilocality, where married couples live with or near the husband’s family, further fuels the preference for sons. Daughters are often seen as belonging to their husbands’ families and a financial burden due to dowry concerns. While India’s succession and inheritance laws previously favored sons, recent amendments to the Hindu Succession Act now grant daughters equal coparcenary rights, allowing them to inherit property as joint heirs alongside their brothers. These laws also apply to Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.
Despite these legal changes, biases persist. Socio-religious factors, such as sons performing last rites in Hindu families—believed to “ensure salvation after death”—perpetuate these biases. Women also continue to have lower participation in the formal workforce. Although the percentage of working women is rising, men still dominate, representing 76.8% of the workforce in 2023.
Government initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and state-level schemes for girls have raised awareness about the rights of the female gender. However, remarks like Chiranjeevi’s threaten to undo years of progress.
Chiranjeevi’s comments diminish the accomplishments of the women in his family, such as his daughter-in-law Upasana Kamineni, a successful entrepreneur who is continuing her family’s legacy in healthcare and making a positive impact.
It’s worth noting that southern India, with its better female education rates, is often considered more progressive than the north. Interestingly, in the matrilineal society of Meghalaya, women control property and inheritance, dominate public spaces, and pass their last names to their children. Husbands move into their wives’ homes, and the youngest daughters inherit the ancestral property.
Why not envision a society where patrilineal and matrilineal systems coexist? “Yes, a combination of matrilineal and patrilineal systems could help give daughters the respect they deserve, though it may take time as it requires a significant shift in mindset,” says Ms. Krishnan.
Celebrities must act as catalysts for this change rather than obstructing it.
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