‘Slapstick is always sexist’: Fatima Sana Shaikh on how women in comedy are reduced to stereotypes

Fatima Sana Shaikh has spoken about the lack of strong female comedy roles, arguing that women are often reduced to stereotypes involving their appearance, sexuality and humiliation. Speaking to Variety India while promoting the Aneet Padda starrer ‘Hunkkaar: The Roar’, the actor said, “Slapstick is always sexist,” while calling for better-written comedy shows and films. Shaikh also praised actresses including Vidya Balan, Juhi Chawla, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta for bringing greater variety to female characters in earlier eras of Hindi cinema.