Sherleen Dutt, who has been a part of the shows KINK and Honey Trap Squad as well as web series Koi Jaye Toh Le Aaye and Shringarika, says that she has always looked upto her mom. This Women’s Day, the actress shares how she has learnt so much from her.
“The woman I look up to the most is my mom. She is the strongest, most selfless person I know, and everything I am today is because of her. Her resilience, kindness, and ability to handle everything with grace inspire me every day. She has taught me to be fearless, independent, and to always stand by what I believe in,” she says.
She adds, “The change has started, but there’s still a long way to go. We are seeing stronger, more layered female characters, but many shows still fall into stereotypes. Women are not just damsels in distress or strong only when they are broken. They can be powerful, vulnerable, ambitious, flawed, and everything in between. Stories should reflect this complexity more authentically.”
Meanwhile, there are many characters that she has played that inspires her. Talking about the strongest one, she says, “Maharani Dhanika, the totli (lisping) queen I played, is the most special character for me. She is powerful yet different, and playing her was both challenging and fulfilling. The way she carried herself despite her speech quirk made her unique. I love roles that challenge me, and she did that in the best way possible.”
Meanwhile, she says that while we are moving towards gender equality in the industry, a lot more is to be done. “While things are improving, the gap still exists. Male actors are often paid significantly more than their female counterparts, even when both contribute equally to a project. The industry needs to recognize that talent and effort should be the primary factors in determining pay, not gender,” she says.
She adds, “I would love to see more respect for women behind the scenes—whether it’s fair pay, better work conditions, or safer environments on set. Also, I want to see more women in leadership roles—directors, producers, writers—so that stories about women are told with authenticity and depth.”
The actress adds that not only actresses, but even women on social media need to be treated better. “While social media has given women a platform to express themselves, break barriers, and build businesses, gender bias still exists. Women face more scrutiny, trolling, and unrealistic expectations compared to men. The way female influencers are judged—whether for their looks, opinions, or success—is often harsher. True equality will come when women can exist online without facing unnecessary criticism just for being themselves,” she says.
