Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi has been on a strong run with her recent OTT performances in Delhi Crime Season 3 and Maharani Season 4, but along with the praise, she has also been confronting an issue that far too many women face. In an interview, she opened up about the everyday sexism she encounters online and why she believes the digital world needs stricter accountability.
Huma spoke honestly about the disturbing comments she sees in her social media notifications -messages that objectify her, demand certain kinds of photos or make crude remarks. She expressed her frustration at how casually people behave online, almost as if virtual harassment does not count. To her, the idea that someone feels entitled to invade her space simply because they are behind a screen is deeply troubling.
She believes that online abuse should carry the same weight as harassment in public spaces. According to her, if misbehaving with a woman on the street deserves punishment, then doing the same thing through messages or comments should not be treated differently. She says that the disrespect is the same and the emotional impact is no less.
Huma Qureshi also urged people to stop scrutinising every aspect of a woman’s life, what she wears, how she does her makeup, when she comes home, what she weighs or how she chooses to live. She called for basic respect and common sense, emphasising that constant policing only adds to the toxicity women already face.
From her breakout performance in Gangs of Wasseypur 2 to her layered portrayals in Maharani, Bayan, Jolly LLB 3, and Delhi Crime 3, Huma Qureshi has built a career on powerful, nuanced characters. Off-screen too, she is using her voice with equal strength, calling out misogyny and pushing for a safer, more respectful digital environment for everyone.
She does make sense in regard to online abuse, more power to you Huma!
