Highlights
- Anubhav Sinha says Shah Rukh Khan made respectful conduct aspirational in Bollywood
- Director points to simple actions, from offering a hand to crediting co-stars first
- Reflection comes as Sinha prepares for the release of Assi
Small actions, lasting influence
Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha believes cultural change in cinema is not always driven by bold themes or political storytelling. Speaking ahead of his upcoming film Assi, he said Shah Rukh Khan’s everyday behaviour helped shape a more respectful environment for women in the industry.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Sinha recalled noticing gestures he had not seen from leading men before Khan’s rise. He said watching the actor run down steps to offer a co-star a hand or hold doors open made such behaviour visible and aspirational, eventually becoming commonplace both on and off screen.
Chivalry as a cultural cue
Sinha argued that repeated small gestures can shift norms more quietly than headline-grabbing narratives. According to him, the change is evident in how such acts of courtesy are now widely practised, reinforcing the idea that cinema influences everyday conduct in subtle ways.
He also highlighted Khan’s decision in 2018 to place his female co-stars’ names ahead of his own in film credits, a practice the actor has continued as a sign of respect.
Change that unfolds over time
Known for socially driven films such as Mulk, Thappad and Bheed, Sinha said progress through cinema is rarely immediate or easily measurable. Instead, he views it as a gradual process shaped by consistent choices and example.
The director previously worked with Khan on the 2011 sci-fi thriller Ra.One, which also starred Arjun Rampal and Kareena Kapoor. His new project Assi centres on a rape survivor and her lawyer’s pursuit of justice, continuing his focus on socially rooted storytelling.
