Akshay Oberoi: Conversations around gender often remain boxed into binaries

Akshay Oberoi is set to push the boundaries of conventional storytelling with his upcoming film Love Lottery, a thought-provoking narrative that delves into the complexities of gender dynamics and challenges long-held perceptions around conflict within relationships.The film raises a compelling and often underexplored question: can vulnerability and emotional distress be acknowledged more inclusively across genders? Set in modern India, it unfolds as a courtroom drama where a city couple’s broken marriage spirals into a legal and moral conflict shaped by societal expectations. Akshay says, “What drew me to the film was its courage to ask uncomfortable questions. We live in a time where conversations around gender are evolving but often remain one-sided or confined to binaries. This film doesn’t aim to take sides; it aims to open minds. It explores the idea that pain, vulnerability, and emotional conflict are not exclusive to any one gender. Sometimes, people find themselves in situations where their voices are unheard or their experiences are overlooked and acknowledging that doesn’t take away from anyone else’s struggle; it simply adds depth to the conversation.” The actor, who has been part of films like Pizza, Piku, Fitoor, Kaalakaandi, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, Junglee, Thar, Love Hostel, Gaslight, Fighter, and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, further adds, “I’ve always been keen on stories that challenge perception, and I believe it’s important to be part of narratives that open up dialogue rather than dictate conclusions. Love Lottery is not about proving a point, but about raising a question and allowing space for reflection. If it sparks even a few honest conversations, that, for me, would be meaningful. At the end of the day, empathy lies at the core of any progressive society, and this is a step towards fostering it in a more inclusive way.”