Films can’t alter reality but can steer conversation: Pankaj

In his latest release, Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Pankaj plays a father who is also a feminist of sorts. The film, directed by Sharan Sharma, stars Janhvi Kapoor in the title role.

 The actor always wanted to focus on a film like Gunjan Saxena — a tale of empowerment that aims to inspire young girls to strive harder to fulfil their dreams.

 “There was this beautiful line in the film that said — Plane ladka udaaye ya ladki... dono ko pilot hi kehte hain. In a beautiful simple line, the film and its story simply smashed years of set gender roles. Being a father to a daughter myself, the story shifted something within me. I want more fathers to be like Anuj Saxena (his character) and more daughters to be like Gunjan,” he said.