Daughter of a diplomat, American actress and producer Poorna Jagannathan (though known to Indian audiences more for her role as a feisty journalist in Delhi Belly), is vocal about her stance on gender equality, for reasons which are both socially responsible and personal.
In a short video, Jagannathan has described the abuses she suffered as a child and a young adult, as well as the conditioning to stay silent, which she says stemmed from being taught early on to hide the truth about her alcoholic father.
Her efforts to speak out since have won her international recognition. In 2013, she was awarded the Amnesty International Award for her play "Nirbhaya" with well-known playwright and director Yael Farber.
Part of a series of videos shot for a project with the World Bank, WEvolve interviewed Jagannathan and others to share stories that challenge gender-based violence.
The series also includes the video of a man who abused his wives in three separate marriages, to finally learn better at age 50, as well as an interview with Farhan Akhtar, who describes his efforts to "redefine masculinity" in India.
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