Exclusive! Rakul Preet Singh: Men tend to get intimidated by opinionated women

Rakul Preet Singh, who is known for speaking her mind, feels that in many situations, men cannot handle a strong, opinionated woman. She thinks that the ones who can are "real men".

In a conversation with OTTplay, the actress, she was asked if men get intimidated by strong, independent women, like the one she plays I Love You.

Rakul promptly replied, "Oh yes, absolutely. They do get intimidated by opinionated women and can I please tell you that not many men can handle strong women in their lives - only a real man can. Not many men are okay with if their female partner earns more money than them. The fact that women have been okay with this for ages now and, in fact, feel proud of their men earning more is also a part of the problem. When a woman is more successful, strong, opinionated, and financially independent than a man, men cannot handle it. So, I think that only a real man can handle a strong and successful woman."

Speaking about a patriarchal society and toxic masculinity, Rakul added, "I think it takes a lot of value and good upbringing for a man to accept and respect the fact that a woman can be equally successful. There is a fine line between masculinity and toxic masculinity. Men can be masculine and it's okay that they like to provide, but toxic masculinity is very different. Toxicity cannot be accepted."

Pavail Gulati, Rakul's co-star in I Love You, who was sitting next to her during the interview, seconds her opnions. He added, "I can't be friends with men who have toxic masculinity, simply because they are toxic people. Sometimes, I feel that it is not about men or women, it is about toxicity. People can be bad irrespective of their gender."

I Love You is directed by Nikhil Mahajan and also stars Akshay Oberoi. It is available to stream on JioCinema.