Yeh Hai Chahatein actor Manas Shah: Women should feel safe and valued whether it is at home or at your workplace

Manas Shah, who was last seen in the TV show Tulsi — Hamari Badi Sayani, shares how over the years portrayal of women on the small screen has changed. On International Women's Day today, Manas said, "Women are no longer shown only as weak or dependent in TV shows. Now, the characters are independent, strong and confident. This is a good change, but there is always room for improvement."

He added, "Earlier, female characters in shows were mostly seen in traditional roles, limited to family responsibilities. But now, they are shown as powerful and self-reliant. This is a positive shift, but we need to push this even further. As an actor, my job is not just to perform but also influence society through my work. I always make sure that my women co-actors feel comfortable on the set. This is very important because a good environment helps everyone perform better."

The Yeh Hai Chahatein actor shared further, "Respect, equality and support are important. Women should feel safe and valued, and as actors, we should contribute to it. Even in my own team, most members are women, and I appreciate their work."

Manas shared how his woman is most important in his life. He said, "The first woman in everyone’s life is their mother. She is our first relationship, our first love, and the person we are most attached to. After that, there are other women in the family, grandmothers, sisters, and women who shape our lives. I have learnt a lot from my mother and grandmother. My grandmother was not educated, but the values she taught me are still useful in my life today. Knowledge doesn’t come from books; it also comes from experience. My elder sister is a single mother, and she has been a big inspiration to me. She raised her daughter alone, without any support, and built an independent life for herself. This proves how strong women are and how they fight every challenge to create a better future for themselves and their children."