Shazia Iqbal, the director of the upcoming film Dhadak 2, has opened up about the deeply rooted issue of caste discrimination in Indian society. In a recent interview, Iqbal shared her personal views and experiences regarding caste, stressing that the problem is not confined to any one religion. According to her, caste is a systemic issue that affects people across communities and needs to be addressed with honesty and sensitivity.
Iqbal, who belongs to a Muslim family, pointed out that caste discrimination is often misunderstood as a problem unique to Hinduism. However, she emphasized that caste hierarchies and biases are present in all sections of society. She remarked that in many homes, including those in modern cities, domestic workers are still asked to sit separately or are denied access to certain areas, reflecting ongoing caste-based discrimination.
As the director of Dhadak 2, a film that is expected to explore themes of love and social barriers, Iqbal’s insights bring depth to the discussion surrounding caste in cinema and society. Her comments come at a time when conversations around social equality are gaining prominence in both popular culture and public discourse.
She shared that even in supposedly progressive urban spaces, caste still influences behavior and social relationships. Iqbal noted that while religious identity is often openly discussed, caste-based prejudice is more subtle and hidden, making it even more difficult to challenge and eliminate. She urged filmmakers and storytellers to take responsibility and use their platforms to highlight such issues.
Shazia Iqbal also discussed how her personal experiences shaped her understanding of caste. Growing up in a multicultural environment, she encountered various forms of social inequality, which later informed her
